Former Delaware Teacher Faces Federal Sex Charges

A federal grand jury has lodged child sex charges against a former high school teacher who authorities say was caught in an online sting.

Joshua Rutherford was charged by state officials in March with sexual solicitation of a child and attempted dealing in child pornography.

Authorities said at the time that Rutherford, a Smyrna High School teacher, began an online chat with an undercover investigator in February, thinking he was communicating with the father of a teenage girl. Officials said Rutherford expressed his interest in meeting the girl for sex and requested nude images.

State officials dropped those charges after a federal grand jury last week indicted Rutherford on two counts each of seeking child pornography and attempted inducement of a minor.

Rutherford was scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.