Paul Zachary Wakeman guilty of one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a minor.Wakeman,

Sending inappropriate messages over social media had former James River High School Agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor, Paul Zachary Wakeman charged with 3 counts of misdemeanor, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, since the early part of 2019.

He reached a plea agreement today in Botetourt County with a guilty plea to one count, the other two were No Pros.

Wakeman got a 12 months suspended sentence and 12 additional months of probation.

“He must surrender his Virginia teachers license to the state board of education within 30 days,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney John Alexander. Court record will reflect discovery items from the case that was not brought to trial.

He was a popular teacher and built a nationally recognized FFA club before he was charged with the three counts of contributing earlier this year. He had not been a teacher at the high school since late last fall of 2018 when the situation came to light. Minors alleged his inappropriate social media interaction.

Story by Cathy Benson; photo Botetourt County Sheriffs Office