Gym Teacher Busted For Texting Smut to 14-Year-Old

By Pamela Mortimer

Coraopolis resident Beth Ann Chester, 26, has been charged with sending nude pictures of herself to a freshman at the suburban Pittsburgh high school where she taught. Chester is also accused of sending sexually suggestive cell phone text messages to the same student. Chester, a physical education teacher at Moon Area High School, was arrested Friday and charged with child sexual abuse, statutory sexual assault, and other related counts.

Police reports state that on December 22, Chester sent the 14 year old boy three pictures of herself via cell phone, two of which were naked. The boy replied and also included a nude picture. Police stated that in one message, Chester referred to the boy as "sexy" and also made a graphic reference regarding his body.

The boy has denied having physical contact with Chester but Moon Township Police Chief Leo McCarthy said there was a likelihood of contact. The boy also admitted to police that he "felt he was in love with the teacher now", police said.

Chief McCarthy also said that Mrs. Chester has made "substantial admissions" to police regarding the incident.

Police launched an investigation on Thursday after Moon Area School District officials reported that Chester may have had inappropriate contact with one of the students.

The student admitted to police that he and Chester began exchanging text messages in October. The boy also said that they had come up with a plan so they could spend extra time with each other while at school.

The student's parents discovered the suggestive text messages and then had a meeting with Chester on Dec. 26, authorities said. Chester handed in her resignation to the administration the next day, citing personal reasons. Police stated that another teacher had reported to school officials last week that she believed the resignation was related to the messages that Chester had allegedly sent to the student.

Following her resignation, Chester remained on the school payroll. Her resignation was required to be accepted by the school board's formal acceptance. Jack Cambest, the school’s district attorney, said Chester has been employed within the district for over two years.

Chester is being held in the Allegheny County jail after failing to post bail for $50,000. There has not been an attorney assigned to the case, according to District Judge Mary Murray's office. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.