Cherokee, IA school district fires teacher accused of sexual exploitation of student

CHEROKEE, Iowa (KTIV) - The Cherokee, Iowa Community School Board has fired a high school teacher following his arrest on a charge of sexually exploiting a minor.

The vote came today, four weeks after 46-year-old Joseph Vannatta was arrested. Court documents show Vannatta, an instrumental music teacher at Cherokee Washington High School, is charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee.

A criminal complaint says Vannatta engaged in a scheme of conduct to insert himself into the student’s sexual life over the course of seven months beginning in August of 2022. The complaint details how Vannatta would engage in sexual talk with the student.

Investigators also say Vannatta “inserted himself in Snapchats” with the student, and continued to get personal with snap streaks on the app.

If he’s convicted, Vannatta could face up to five years in prison, and face a fine of up to $10,000.

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