Former Valley High School music teacher to remain in jail pending new sentence

A former Valley High School music teacher who pleaded guilty in 2022 to sending sexually themed text messages to two teenage students will remain in jail while he awaits a new sentencing hearing.

Westmoreland County prosecutors said Sean Timothy O’Neil, 37, of North Apollo could face a potential state prison sentence as a result of violations of his five-year probation.

Westmoreland County Judge Scott Mears in March ruled O’Neil violated probation terms that required he complete sex offender treatment and refrain from internet use. According to court records, O’Neil was dismissed last June from the treatment program and was suspected of having online contact with women.

The judge heard testimony Thursday from psychologist Dr. Carol Menta, who said O’Neil requires treatment while in a confined setting. She told the judge it was unlikely he could receive proper treatment while not in custody.

Defense attorney Brian Aston said O’Neil should be released from confinement and allowed to receive treatment while living with his parents, but he conceded additional care is needed to overcome issues that led to the criminal charges.

“He is sicker than any of us previously thought,” Aston said.

Police said that in 2020 O’Neil sent inappropriate text messages, some sexual, to two teenage students.

O’Neil pleaded guilty to one felony charge for the criminal use of a communications device along with misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors and harassment.

Prosecutors dismissed felony charges of dissemination of explicit sexual materials to a minor and unlawful contact with a minor.

O’Neil was fired from his teaching job at New Kensington-Arnold School District and is prohibited from working again as a teacher.

His resentencing hearing is scheduled to resume June 11.