Cherokee teacher accused of sexual exploitation of minors pleads guilty to lesser offense

A Cherokee High School teacher accused of sexually exploiting a minor has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of molestation.

Joseph Vannatta, 46, filed a motion Monday to withdraw an earlier motion to dismiss. He entered a new written guilty plea to a lesser charge of molestation, which is a serious misdemeanor. The state is no longer seeking prison time. As part of a plea agreement, Vannatta faces two years’ probation and a five-year no-contact order. Vannatta’s sentence will also include the state minimum sentence. Vannatta was originally charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee, a Class D felony that would have carried a prison sentence of up to five years.

Vannatta had previously pleaded guilty and asked for the case to be dismissed. In new court documents, both sides agree that the facts of the case do not constitute a sexually motivated offense. He was released by the Cherokee School District shortly after his arrest.