Former Ark City High School Teacher Ethan Huff entered a plea of not guilty Thursday morning and appears headed for trial on a charge of inappropriate sexual relations with a student.
The 28-year-old Huff appeared for his arraignment in Ark City Dist Court before Judge Christopher Smith. A trial date has been set for Dec. 4 at 9 a.m.
Pre-trial conferences are scheduled for October and November. Huff is being represented by Wichita-based attorney Richard C. Paugh.
Ark City police officers were notified in October 2017 of a report of an inappropriate sexual relationship between Huff and a 17-year-old female at the high school.
State statute prohibits people with certain jobs – including teachers – from having sexual relations with those over which they have authority.
After investigation, police established probable cause, resulting in Huff’s arrest. He bonded out shortly thereafter.
At the time of his arrest, USD 470 removed Huff from the classroom and suspended him. A district official, contacted by KSOK-NewsCow this morning, said Huff is no longer employed by the district.
The trial will be held at the Cowley County Courthouse in Winfield, which has a larger courtroom.
