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Former Provo High School teacher accused of sexually abusing student pleads guilty

Posted at 4:34 PM, Jul 02, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-02 19:43:50-04

PROVO, Utah – A man pleaded guilty to several charges Thursday that include attempted object rape and forcible sexual abuse, and the charges stem from sexual misconduct that occurred between the man and a student at the high school where he worked as a teacher.

According to court records, Donald Nelson Bills pleaded guilty to the following charges: attempted forcible sodomy, attempted object rape, forcible sexual abuse as a second-degree felony, tampering with a witness as a third-degree felony, and obstructing justice as a second-degree felony.

Sentencing for Bills has been scheduled for August 17 at 2 p.m.

Bills was arrested in January of 2014 after the principal at Provo High School, where Nelson taught several medical science classes, received a tip about the activity. Bills was placed on leave after his arrest pending the outcome of the investigation, but his current employment status with the school is unknown.

“There was texting going on between both the teacher and the victim that was found out by some individuals,” said Lt. Matt Siufanua of the Provo Police Department at the time of the arrest.

The victim was 17 at the time, Bills was 55 when arrested. Click here for FOX 13 News’ previous coverage of the charges.