News Summary

A 48-year-old teacher from Canon-McMillan High School, Justin White, has been arrested for 13 counts of institutional sexual assault. The allegations arose after a concerned parent reported inappropriate communications between White and a senior student. The relationship reportedly began when the student was 17 and turned sexual after her 18th birthday. The investigation revealed extensive communication through school channels. White has been placed on administrative leave as the community grapples with the implications of such misconduct in educational settings.

Canon-McMillan, Pennsylvania – A 48-year-old teacher from Canon-McMillan High School, Justin White, has been arrested and charged with 13 counts of institutional sexual assault and one count of criminal use of a communication facility. White turned himself in at the police station accompanied by his lawyer, where he was taken into custody and transported to a police cruiser.

The investigation into White’s alleged misconduct began when a concerned father discovered inappropriate messages and images on his daughter’s phone and promptly reported the findings to local law enforcement. The relationship between White and the victim, who was a senior at the school, reportedly started in October 2023 but only turned sexual after the victim turned 18.

Reportedly, White gave gifts to the victim, including a necklace and a burner phone, designed for private communication. Sexual encounters are said to have occurred in various locations, including White’s classroom during school hours, a park-and-ride lot, and at industrial facilities.

According to information from the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, Justin White is accused of abusing his position of trust as an educator. The investigation revealed that over 8,000 messages and more than 14,000 emails were exchanged between White and the victim over several months. Some of these communications happened through the school district’s email server, which is prohibited under laws governing institutional sexual assault.

White’s bond has been set at $150,000, with the condition that he must have no contact with the victim or the Canon-McMillan School District. The Canon-McMillan School District has stated that they are cooperating with the ongoing police investigation. Upon becoming aware of the allegations, they placed White on administrative leave immediately.

The case remains under investigation by the North Strabane Police and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 5, 2025.

Background of the Allegations

Institutional sexual assault laws are designed to protect students from educators who may exploit their positions of authority. In this case, the timeline of events raises significant concerns about the dynamics between student and teacher following the victim reaching adulthood. The use of private communication tools, including a burner phone, further complicates the matter. Such actions not only breach ethical standards but also violate legal boundaries surrounding educational relationships.

The community in Canon-McMillan is grappling with the implications of these allegations, as they shine a light on the serious issue of abuse of power in educational settings. Administrators and lawmakers are faced with the challenge of ensuring that school environments remain safe and secure for all students.

This incident underscores the importance of vigilance from parents, school officials, and law enforcement in identifying and addressing the signs of inappropriate conduct in educational institutions.

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Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER

MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.

Local Teacher Charged with Institutional Sexual Assault