Former Fermi High School Teacher Pleads Not Guilty to Sexual Assault Charges

Former social studies teacher Tyler Wells pleaded not guilty in Wednesday to charges of sexual assault involving an alleged improper relationship with at least one female student.

Wells, 29, was with four counts of fourth-degree sexual assault after a police investigation into allegations that he had kissed and fondled a female student.

The police investigation commenced in June, at which time Wells was from his duties at the high school. He subsequently resigned his position in a letter to Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Schumann on Aug. 7, according to Deputy Superintendent Chris Drezek.

The affidavit supporting Wells' arrest said he and a female student had begun text messaging each other sometime in March. In some of the texts, Wells complimented the student's body, the affidavit said.

The relationship escalated, according to the student, who said the two had about 30 encounters “making out.” In some of the encounters, he stuck his hand down her pants, and on one occasion he put her hand on his groin, the warrant said.

Wells' next scheduled court appearance is Sept. 26.

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