Bevins to retain attorney; arraignment delayed

POTSDAM — Canton High School English teacher Paul T. Bevins had his arraignment in Village Court postponed a week, allowing him to retain an attorney.

Mr. Bevins, 37, of 76 Prospect Ave., Massena, was charged last week with two counts of misdemeanor first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child. He is accused of providing alcohol to an 18-year-old student twice over the past year.

He was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday on one count in Village Court. His next court date is April 1.

Mr. Bevins told police in a statement he believed he had served alcohol to Gerald Cross twice, once at his former Canton residence in July and again after he moved to Potsdam in January.

He told Potsdam Village Court Judge Joseph T. Welch he had an appointment Friday with Nicholas Pignone. The judge released him to probation supervision and signed a protection order for Mr. Cross and three other people.

He pleaded innocent last week to the second count in Canton Village Court and was released on his own recognizance. His next court date is Tuesday.

The Canton Central School District board of education accepted his resignation last week. The resignation is effective June 30.