Dwain Sponseller, front left, walks out of Wood County Magistrate Court with attorney Bill Merriman, right, after being arraigned by Magistrate Jody Purkey. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — A Parkersburg South High School teacher was arrested Thursday on charges of sexual abuse related to his work as a middle school basketball coach.

Dwain Sponseller, 40, of Parkersburg, turned himself in to Parkersburg Police Thursday and was charged with seven counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust.

He was arraigned before Wood County Magistrate Jody Purkey and released on a $55,000 surety bond. Each charge carries a possible prison term of 10 to 20 years and a fine of between $500 and $5,000.

According to a release from the Parkersburg Police Department, Sponseller served as a basketball coach at Van Devender Middle School. Police were notified in February by Wood County Schools staff that Sponseller had been observed inside Van Devender after school hours, when he was not permitted to be there, in the company of a juvenile.

The charges came after investigators interviewed two juveniles, the release said.

Dwain Sponseller

When asked about Sponseller’s arrest and arraignment Thursday, a representative of Wood County Schools said they could not comment but referred to a statement issued March 4. It said a high school teacher was suspended indefinitely on Feb. 29 after the administration was made aware of certain allegations.

The school district’s website listed Sponseller as a teacher at South.

The district announced Thursday afternoon that a special board of education meeting had been called for 11:30 a.m. today at the central office. In addition to a student expulsion hearing, the agenda includes a vote on the paid and unpaid suspension of an employee.

It does not indicate whether Sponseller is the employee in question. However, the agenda says Superintendent Christie Willis is recommending paid suspension of the individual for Feb. 29 and March 1 and unpaid suspension beginning March 4, pending investigation.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com

Dwain Sponseller enters Wood County Magistrate Court Thursday following his arrest on charges of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust. (Photo by Evan Bevins)