W.Pa. math teacher to trial in sexting case

CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — A southwestern Pennsylvania teacher and coach has been ordered to stand trial after a student who was then 17 testified that he traded racy text messages and nude cell phone pictures with her last month.

The alleged victim, who is now 18, acknowledged during a preliminary hearing that she originally approached 26-year-old Kevin Lee Bell, of Mount Pleasant, through the Facebook social networking site.

But she says she felt pressured to respond after the Connellsville Area High School teacher and girls’ basketball coach allegedly sent her texts and cell phone pictures of his genitals and of himself performing a sex act.

School officials declined to discuss Bell’s employment status except to say he hasn’t returned to the classroom since the allegations surfaced last month.

Bell has been ordered to stand trial on charges including corruption of minors.