Photo by Joselyn King Former Wheeling Park High School teacher Micah Farmer, right, with his attorney Braden Noon, review documents during Farmer’s sentencing Tuesday morning.

WHEELING — Former Wheeling Park High School teacher Micah Farmer will serve the maximum 2 to 10 years in prison on charges pertaining to the sexual assault of a student.

Farmer, 38, received his sentencing from Ohio County Circuit Judge Michael Olejasz on Tuesday morning. In October 2024, Farmer pleaded guilty in Ohio County Circuit Court to two counts of third-degree felony sexual assault.

Each of the two sexual assault charges carried with it a maximum sentence of one to five years. Farmer will serve out the sentence for each charge consecutively. Typically, those convicted of sex crimes serve about half of their sentence, according to Ohio County Prosecutor Shawn Turak.

Farmer has until Sept. 2 to report to the West Virginia Northern Regional Jail, and he will remain there until being assigned to a correctional facility. After serving his prison sentence, he will be on supervised release for 20 years and must report himself as a sexual offender for life.

The investigation of Farmer began in January 2024. On Jan. 10, 2024, WPHS Principal Meredith Dailer received permission from the victim’s mother to confiscate the victim’s cell phone. Dailer and the victim reviewed the text messages the victim and Farmer sent to each other, which included sexually explicit messages.

Farmer later admitted he and the victim had sexual intercourse at his home and in his truck, according to court reports.

Turak said she was “very happy” with the outcome of the case.

“It took some time to get the sentencing due to matters beyond everyone’s control,” she said. “As Judge Olejasz said, the default position in this courtroom for sexual assault is prison. That is exactly what Micah Farmer deserves, the state believes.

“The court agrees he is a predator and a risk to the public.”

In her remarks to the court, Turak painted Farmer as someone who took advantage of the victim when she was particularly vulnerable as her father had died at the start of her senior year in 2023.

The victim rode a dirt bike that stopped running and her father wasn’t there to repair it, Turak continued. Farmer offered to help her fix it, but failed. They ended up burying the dirt bike in the woods.

She also noted there were probably other victims. At least one other possible victim failed to cooperate in the investigation. Officers were called to WPHS to search Farmer’s former classroom, and discovered love letters from other students.

At the later plea hearing for Farmer, it was agreed not to pursue any possible victims known of at that time, Turak explained.

“He stood the possibility of being charged with crimes that carried much greater sentences — not less than 10 or more than 20 years — as a person being in a ‘position of trust’ to his students,” she said.

Farmer agreed to address the court prior to his sentencing, and also provided words of remorse to his victim and her family.

He said he stood before the court with “a very heavy burden” and feelings of shame and remorse.

“My transgressions have caused others inconceivable pain,” he said.

Farmer thanked the victim and her family for taking him “into their home and being so cordial and nice to me.”

“I’m forever thankful for the opportunity… I’m sorry for the pain I caused,” he continued.

To the victim, he said that as an instructor it was his responsibility to maintain a safe environment in the classroom for all students and provide guidance and leadership.

“I failed to do so, and I am sorry,” Farmer added. “I have brought utter shame upon Wheeling Park High School and Ohio County Schools through my actions.”

He said would appreciate forgiveness, and asked for forgiveness from all.

The victim also took the opportunity to address the court. She expressed resentment that Farmer “always wants to make people feel sorry for him.”

“I do feel guilty. I feel like I’ve ruined a marriage, and it’s my fault,” she said.

Farmer’s attorney, Braden Noon, asked the judge to consider alternative sentencing for his client, as he has “never tried to shy away from responsibility.” He also requested that if Farmer were sentenced to prison, he be allowed to serve his prison terms for each of the two offenses concurrently.

Noon noted that Farmer had no prior criminal history, and has been out on bond for a year and a half with no violations.

“His life history shows nothing but dependability,” he continued.

Noon added Farmer suffers with severe depression and anxiety, and that it is likely he wouldn’t receive the help in prison he needs to be rehabilitated.

“He made a terrible mistake he has to live with every day,” he said.