Nathan Dell Cunningham (Photo Provided)

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

Nathan Dell Cunningham, 35, of Parkersburg, had a plea hearing held Tuesday in the court of Wood County Circuit Court Judge Robert Waters where he pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree sexual assault and an Alford plea to the felony offense of displaying obscene matter to a minor.

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

During this time she would have been 14 years old and he would have been around 28 years old, according to the complaint.

She advised she would sneak out of her residence after school and meet the defendant at City Park. She said she would get into his vehicle at the park and this is where the sexual incidents would occur. This happened on separate occasions, but always in the same location. On a number of occasions they would meet and engage in sexual conduct.

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

The victim said the relationship lasted until she ended it after track season in the 2018-19 school year, the report said.

Cunningham was employed as a gym teacher at Emerson Elementary. He was suspended from his employment with Wood County Schools in April 2023 after his arrest.

In pleading guilty to the charges, Cunningham could face over 20 years in prison and be fined $55,000.

The state agrees the other charges will be dismissed. Cunningham was initially indicted on one count of first-degree sexual abuse; one count of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian, or person in a position of trust; one count of displaying obscene matter to a minor; and seven counts of sexual assault in the third-degree.

He has agreed to cooperate and be truthful with the Wood County Prosecutor’s office, including debriefings with respect to his knowledge of drug activity and other criminal activity and will give signed, sworn statements and grand jury and trial testimony upon request of the state.

“The defendant agrees he will voluntarily give up any teaching certifications and no longer seek employment or volunteer positions within any school system after the entry of his plea,” the plea agreement said.

There were no agreements on sentencing and sentencing shall rest in the discretion of the court, the agreement said.

Cunningham, through his attorney George Cosenza, made a motion for probation which the court will review.

A sentencing hearing is set for 3:45 p.m. on Jan 16 before Waters.