HS Teacher From Chesco Sexual Relationship With Student: DA

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA — A Chester County man and local high school teacher has been arrested after police said he carried on an 18-month-long sexual relationship with an underage student.

Michael Cheatle, 37, of Chester Springs, faces numerous charges in connection to his time as a teacher at Germantown Academy in Fort Washington.

The incident began back in 2014, when the student was a junior in high school, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. The woman reported the incident to Whitemarsh Township Police on July 29, 2020.

Cheatle first began a friendship with the victim while she was a student in his class, before it turned sexual, police said. Text messages, emails, and "other evidence" discovered in collaboration with Germantown Academy gave police ample proof, according to the DA's office. Among the texts Cheatle sent to the victim included apologies, sent years later in 2018 and 2019, noting that he was "so deeply sorry."

Cheatle carried on the sexual relationship with the victim both inside and outside of Germantown Academy, the DA said.

The relationship continued for 18 months, according to police.

As a result of the investigation, Cheatle resigned his position at Germantown Academy on Sept. 1.

Bail was set at $100,000, which he posted and was released. He was ordered not to have contact with any children other than his own.

Charges against Cheatle include institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of a minor, and endangering the welfare of a child.

A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 14.