November 21st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

A former Allegany County Public Schools teacher entered an Alford plea on charges relating to sexual abuse of a minor. Derek Shank former band director at Mountain Ridge High School, appeared before Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Getty, entering the plea in which a defendant pleads guilty to a charge but maintains innocence. The felony charge against Shank was dropped and he will not be required to register as a sex offender. Shank was sentence to two six-month terms of incarceration to be served consecutively, both of which were suspended. Judge Getty placed Shank on three years probation that included special terms.