Teacher removed from classroom after being charged with child luring

A math teacher at Sydney Academy high school has been removed from the classroom after being charged with three counts of child luring.

Jason David Pentecost, 40, of Halliday Street, Westmount, is alleged to have committed the offences between February and June.

A spokesperson for the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board confirmed Thursday that Pentecost is not at school and won’t be back in the classroom until a final ruling in the case is issued in court.

The charges allege Pentecost communicated with two females under the age of 18, via computer, for the purpose of sexual exploitation and corrupting morals.

The two complainants in the case are aged 16 and 17.

A spokesperson for Cape Breton Regional Police said Thursday investigators received information June 9 that launched a probe by members of the general investigation section with assistance from the forensic identification and Internet child exploitation and computer forensics units. Police executed several search warrants and seized electronic devices.

Pentecost was arrested Tuesday at his home.

As previously reported by the Post, he continues his release on conditions that include he have no contact with the complainants, he not communicate, including by Internet and through social media sites, with anyone under the age of 18. He is also to stay away from all high schools on Cape Breton Island.

Pentecost is now to enter pleas to the charges Aug. 14.