Former Teacher Begins Sentence After Conviction for Contact with a Student

Former Teacher Begins Sentence After Conviction for Contact with a Student
Courtroom stock photo

HARRISBURG, PA – Robert Sines, a former teacher at Hope for Hyndman Charter School, has been recently taken into custody to start serving his sentence for inappropriate sexual contact with a sixth-grade student.

Sines, 48, previously pleaded guilty to a felony count of corruption of minors and a misdemeanor count of indecent assault of a victim less than 13 years old.

On Tuesday, in Bedford County Court, Sines was sentenced to 11 ½ to 23 months in the Bedford County Jail, followed by three years of probation. He will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

An investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police found that Sines had exchanged inappropriate and sexually suggestive emails with the then-12-year-old victim in the spring of 2021. The defendant also inappropriately touched the victim in the classroom, and subsequently sent a series of hostile emails to the student after they expressed discomfort.