(KNZA)--A former St. Joseph, Missouri middle school teacher has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on a charge of first-degree sodomy.

Everett Harding was sentenced last week in a Buchanan County courtroom.

KQ2-TV reports the state had recommended a sentence of 50 years due to the nature of the crime. The minimum sentence for the crime is five years.

Harding must serve at least eight years and six months before he can be considered for parole.

He pleaded guilty to the charge in September.

Harding was charged in connection with a May 7th incident at the Robidoux Middle School involving a 14-year-old girl. Investigators said Harding had a relationship with the girl that continued outside of school through electronic communications.

The St. Joseph School District Board of Education terminated his employment in June. Harding had taught math at Robidoux since 2022 .