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Perry County high school teacher charged with attempted sexual assault of student

  • Rachel McDevitt/StateImpact Pennsylvania

(Harrisburg) — A midstate high school teacher is facing charges of attempted sexual assault for allegedly making inappropriate comments to a student.

State Police said math teacher David Jonathan Lara, 34, coordinated an after-school study group at Susquenita High School in Duncannon, Perry County.

In May, he allegedly asked a tenth-grade girl to attend for help with her math work.

Police said, during the study session, Lara suggested the student could improve her grades by performing oral sex on him and alluded to other sexual behavior.

In a statement, Susquenita Superintendent Kent Smith said he is “deeply troubled by the alleged circumstances” and he “can confirm that all of the procedural guidelines and protocols have been strictly followed.”

The district would not comment on Lara’s employment status.

An attorney for Lara couldn’t be reached.

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