Another teacher accused of having sex with student in Plum

PITTSBURGH — Officials at Plum Borough School District say they are "shocked" by allegations that a third district teacher has been charged with having sex with a student.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. on Tuesday announced the arrest of 29-year-old Michael Cinefra of Verona, a former substitute teacher at Plum High School.

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"They first came into contact through social media initially," Zappala said.

According to the criminal complaint, Cinefra would tell the victim, who was 15 at the time. when he was substituting at the school and for which teacher, and she met him approximately 10 times in various classrooms.

"Some of this was in the school in the classrooms. Some were outside the school," Zappala said.

Cinefra was a substitute teacher at Plum from October 2010 until June 2014.

Zappala said the arrest was unrelated to the earlier arrests of 40-year-old Joseph Ruggieri and 38-year-old Jason Cooper.

Witness intimidation charges were also filed against 40-year-old teacher Drew Zoldak, who is accused of having singled out in class a student who had accused Ruggieri.

The Plum School District said in a statement that officials are "surprised and disappointed at the alleged behavior of a few bad actors among the hundreds of outstanding and dedicated professionals we entrust with our students."

"I know you think it will never happen where you are, but when it does, it's always going to be shocking," said former student Ari Weiztman.

Cinefra has been charged with nine counts of sexual abuse, including indecent exposure, selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minor, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, two counts of corruption of minors, indecent assault, institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and statutory sexual assault.

He is currently employed as a cyber school teacher.

Cinefra was arraigned Tuesday evening. His bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.

The investigation is ongoing.

WPXI