Dwain Sponseller, front left, walks out of Wood County Magistrate Court with attorney Bill Merriman after being arraigned by Magistrate Jody Purkey this afternoon. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG – A Parkersburg South High School teacher has been arraigned on sexual abuse charges related to his work as a basketball coach of youth athletes.

Dwain Sponseller of Parkersburg was arrested today by Parkersburg Police and appeared around 12:15 p.m. before Wood County Magistrate Jody Purkey. Sponseller was arrested by Parkersburg Police on seven counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust.

He was released on a $55,000 bond.

A criminal complaint was not immediately available.

When asked about Sponseller’s arrest and arraignment, Wood County Schools officials said they could not comment but referred to a statement issued March 4. That said a high school teacher was suspended indefinitely on Feb. 29 after the administration was made aware of certain allegations.

Read more in Friday’s edition of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel.