Authorities with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General say a former Bedford County teacher has been taken into custody and is beginning to serve his sentence for having inappropriate sexual contact with a sixth grade student.
Officials say 48-year-old Robert Sines, who taught at the Hope for Hyndman Charter School, previously pleaded guilty to one felony count of corruption of minors and a misdemeanor count of indecent assault of a victim less than 13-years-old.
Earlier this week, Sines was sentenced to serve 11-and-a-half to 23 months in the Bedford County Jail, followed by three years of probation.
Authorities say he is also required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
“As a teacher, Mr. Sines was trusted by parents and students to protect, mentor, and empower the young people in his classroom, “Instead, he used his position to prey upon a child for his own sexual gratification. We will continue to work relentlessly to hold accountable those who sexually exploit children.”
Sines was arrested in March of 2021 following an investigation into allegations that he was having a “sexual relationship” with one of his students.
Authorities say troopers learned that Sines had reportedly sent various sexually explicit emails to the student, who was 12-years-old at the time.
Police say Sines was also accused of touching the student inappropriately in the classroom and becoming “upset” when the student expressed that the situation made them feel uncomfortable.