HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that Robert Sines, a former teacher at Hope for Hyndman Charter School, was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence for having inappropriate sexual contact with a sixth grader.
Sines, 48, previously pleaded guilty to a felony count of corruption of minors and a misdemeanor count of indecent assault of a victim less than 13-years-old.
On Tuesday in Bedford County Court, Sines was sentenced to serve 11 ½ to 23 months in the Bedford County Jail, followed by three years of probation. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.
“As a teacher, Mr. Sines was trusted by parents and students to protect, mentor, and empower the young people in his classroom,” Attorney General Henry said. “Instead, he used his position to prey upon a child for his own sexual gratification. We will continue to work relentlessly to hold accountable those who sexually exploit children.”
An investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police found that in the spring of 2021, the defendant exchanged multiple emails with the then-12-year-old victim. The exchanges contained sexual and other inappropriate content.
Later, while in the classroom, the defendant inappropriately touched the victim. When the child expressed that they were uncomfortable, Sines became extremely angry and upset and proceeded to send the student a series of hostile emails.
This case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kara Rice.
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