JEANETTE, Pa. — A former Jeanette wrestling coach accused of inappropriate conduct with a 15-year-old student is headed to trial following a hearing on the charges he’s facing.
Joshua Westfall appeared in court Thursday for the first time since being charged in early June with sexual indecent assault. However, his attorney, Jeff Monzo, told Channel 11 that the alleged victim is making the whole story up. “Josh has always maintained this never happened.
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This was concocted against him, by some of the girls at the high school,” Monzo said. “(I’m) asking the judge to dismiss charges based on the fact that witnesses can't be believed.”
According to court paperwork, police said Westfall’s relationship with a 15-year-old began in fall 2014.
The teenager told police that Westfall kissed her, and that she slept over at his home several times. The teen told police that during one instance, Westfall performed a sex act on her. Authorities said there are text messages that backup her claims.
However, a Jeanette High School principal who heard rumors from students about the alleged relationship sparked the investigation that eventually landed Westfall in trouble and now facing a trial.
"They even admitted to lying to people about this relationship, the relationship they had with Josh,” Monzo said.
Westfall never taught at the high school, but did resign as the wrestling coach in January when the allegations surfaced.
Requests for comment from the district’s superintendent Thursday were not immediately returned.
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