The trial of a New Kensington-Arnold music teacher accused of sending inappropriate text messages to students has been delayed for two months.
Sean Timothy O’Neil, 34, was scheduled for trial in two cases Feb. 10. They have been rescheduled for April 18.
On Friday, Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said her office consented to a continuance requested by O’Neil’s defense attorney, Brian Aston. She said Aston had a scheduling conflict on Feb. 10.
There was no other reason for the delay, Ziccarelli said.
Aston could not be reached for comment Friday.
New Kensington police charged O’Neil in April and May 2021. In both cases, police accused O’Neil of sending inappropriate text messages, some sexual, to students in 2020. In the May case, he is accused of making some comments in person.
In the April case, O’Neil is charged with dissemination of sexually explicit material to a minor, unlawful contact with a minor, criminal use of a communication facility, corruption of minors and harassment, according to court records.
In the May case, he is charged with corruption of minors and harassment.
O’Neil is free on bond.
New Kensington-Arnold officials said O’Neil was on leave without pay from the district when the school board voted in September to pay him for past work.
The board approved paying O’Neil $1,900 for his work as show and concert choir director in the 2019-20 school year.
