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Mt. Lebanon teach accused of sexual misconduct: ‘I'll be happy when this is over'

MT. LEBANON, Pa. — A Mt. Lebanon School District music teacher accused of sending inappropriate text messages to a student faced a preliminary hearing Thursday.

According to the Mt. Lebanon School District, a former student claimed he received inappropriate communications of a sexual nature before and after graduation from Jason Greenawalt. Investigators said the former student told them Greenawalt, 33, sent him inappropriate text messages, and he saved the evidence.

“The information that we have is it started in 2010 when the individual was a sophomore and continued until he graduated,” Mt. Lebanon police Lt. Aaron Lauth said. “The student felt the texts being sent were explicit and inappropriate.”

According to the criminal complaint, Greenawalt sent a picture of himself wearing a black Speedo to the student. The complaint also said the two communicated on a dating website.

“I’ll just be happy when this is over,” Greenawalt said when he left his hearing, which was waived to common pleas court.

Greenawalt’s defense attorney Phil DiLucente said he wanted to challenge the commonwealth’s evidence based on credibility.

"There was no unlawful contact with the minor. I want everyone to be real clear

on this point -- he did not have sex with this alleged victim and he did not physically

touch this alleged victim,” DiLucente said.

The complaint said Greenawalt sent a text message to the student saying, “We can’t be anything until you graduate. When you graduate we can do something.”

The complaint also said the student claimed Greenawalt showed him an article on a Mt. Lebanon track coach who was arrested for having sex with a student. The student said Greenawalt told him, “Look what happened, and look what we’re doing. Thanks for keeping your mouth shut.”

School district officials said upon learning of the accusations, they notified police and removed Greenawalt from the classroom.

Police said Greenawalt is facing charges of corruption of a minor, unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use of a communication facility.

School district officials said Greenawalt passed the state and federal criminal clearances before becoming employed.

The district released the following statement about the situation: “The Mt. Lebanon School District is cooperating fully with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department and will take all appropriate measures to protect the health, safety and welfare of Mt. Lebanon students.

"The Mt. Lebanon School District's top priority is the safety and security of each and every student. The school district takes this responsibility very seriously and works diligently to follow the comprehensive policies and guidelines that are in place to protect students.

"Parents or students who may have any information or concerns regarding this matter are encouraged to contact the Mt. Lebanon Police Department.”