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(NewsDakota.com) – Former James Valley Career and Technology Center teacher Richard Laqua has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges.

The 54-year-old Laqua entered the pleas during an arraignment hearing Monday in Jamestown. He is charged with sexual assault and luring a minor by computer or other electronic means, both Class C felonies.

Laqua was a 23-year veteran teacher with Jamestown Public Schools before the allegations of misconduct towards a juvenile girl surfaced in November. He is accused of inappropriately touching the girl and sending her sexually explicit text messages.

Laqua was suspended with pay on Nov. 9 by the school district, and resigned from his job as construction technology teacher on Dec. 2.

A trial date is expected to be set soon.