Nathan Dell Cunningham (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — A former Wood County physical education teacher has pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault on an underage girl during the 2017-2018 school year.

Nathan Dell Cunningham, 35, of Parkersburg, had a plea hearing Tuesday in Wood County Circuit Judge Robert Waters’ court, where he pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree sexual assault and accepted an Alford Plea to a felony count of displaying an obscene image. It’s important for a minor.

According to the original criminal complaint, in April 2023, Parkersburg Police spoke with a young woman in reference to multiple incidents during her freshman year in high school (2017-2018) in which she said she and Cunningham were involved in a series of sexual incidents. Det. sexual intercourse and sexual assault, according to the report written by. DW Miller of the Parkersburg Police Department.

According to the complaint, by this time she would have been 14 years old and he would have been 28 years old.

He advised her to sneak out of her house after school and meet the defendant in City Park. He said that he would get into his car in the park and sexual events would take place there. This happened at different times but always in the same place. They met several times and had sexual intercourse.

“The victim said she and the defendant talked about having children and getting married in the future.” Miller wrote in the criminal complaint. “The victim said the defendant told her parents about the relationship and assured her that his parents would like her and that her mother wanted to give the victim a gift while she was working.”

According to the report, the victim said the relationship continued until it ended following the athletic season of the 2018-19 school year.

Cunningham was working as a physical education teacher at Emerson Elementary School. He was suspended from his position with Wood County Schools in April 2023 following his arrest.

Cunningham, who pleaded guilty to the charges, could be sentenced to more than 20 years in prison and a $55,000 fine.

The state agrees the other charges will be dismissed. Cunningham was initially charged with first-degree sexual abuse; sexual abuse committed by a parent, guardian, custodian or trusted person; the crime of showing an obscene object to a minor; and seven counts of sexual assault in the third degree.

He has agreed to cooperate and be honest with the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office, including information regarding his knowledge of drug activity and other criminal activity, and will provide signed, affidavits, grand jury and trial testimony upon the state’s request.

“The defendant agrees that, after entering his plea, he will voluntarily relinquish any teaching certification and will no longer seek employment or volunteer positions in any school system.” he said of the plea agreement.

In the agreement, it was stated that there was no agreement on punishment and that the punishment would be left to the discretion of the court.

Through his attorney, George Cosenza, Cunningham requested probation, which the court will review.

The sentencing hearing will be held before Waters on January 16 at 3:45 p.m.