A trial date for a former Kent-Meridian High School teacher and track coach charged with communication with a minor for immoral purposes has been continued to Feb. 5.
Ernie Ammons, 37, of Black Diamond, had been scheduled to go to trial Jan. 15, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Attorneys can ask for more time to prepare a case and get a trial continued.
Ammons pleaded not guilty to the charge in December 2011. He is free on bail.
King County prosecutors allege Ammons sent sexually explicit test messages to a 16-year-old girl at the school. Ammons taught health and physical education at Kent-Meridian. He also coached boys and girls track and cross country at the school.
The Kent School District placed Ammons on paid administrative leave in November 2011 when the allegations first came to the district’s attention. Ammons resigned from the district in January 2012.
The court ordered that Ammons be prohibited from teaching, coaching, volunteering or holding any position of authority over minors while the case is pending.
If convicted as charged, Ammons could be sentenced up to one year in jail and fined $5,000. He also would have to register as a sex offender for a minimum of 10 years because it is a sex offense.
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