A former Hempfield High School substitute teacher pleaded guilty Friday to corruption of minors, stemming from his relationship with a former student.
Michael R. Palmer, 24, of Parkesburg, was released on bail until he is sentenced at a later date.
The Lancaster County judge, in addition to ordering a background investigation on Palmer, issued a stern warning.
"Let me make this perfectly clear," Judge Howard F. Knisely told Palmer on Friday.
"You are to have no contact whatsoever," with the former student, Knisely said, "no social networking, no computer, no telephone or in person."
Should he hear that Palmer has contacted the girl, Knisely said, "you will be arrested, and you will be put in jail."
Palmer was charged with corruption of minors by Manor Township police after an officer found him on the evening of May 15, 2009, partially undressed, in the back seat of a parked car with the 17-year-old girl, a former student.
Knisely said he didn't care if the former student is now of legal age or what Palmer may believe is the current status of the relationship.
"Can I be any more clear," Knisely asked. "Any violation will put you in Lancaster County Prison."
And, Knisely told the parents of the teenage girl in the courtroom, "I expect no communication from her to him. Period."
Palmer was charged by Manor Township police Officer Colleen Tatara last August and released on $10,000 unsecured bail. He waived his right to preliminary hearing the following month.
Palmer had been employed as a substitute teacher at Hempfield High School between October and December 2008.
After he left the school, police said, Palmer developed a romantic relationship with one of his former female students.
The relationship continued for three or four months, police said, and included several meetings between the two.
The court proceeding on Friday had been listed as a bail revocation hearing on allegations that there had been contact between Palmer and the former student, Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Franz said.
However, Palmer decided to plead guilty to the charge and was allowed to remain free on bail.
Defense attorney Alexander Silow told the judge they disputed the amount of restitution listed, but Knisely said he would deal with that at the time of sentencing as well as conditions imposed on convicted sex offenders.