(KNZA)--A former St. Joseph, Missouri middle school teacher will be sentenced next month after his guilty plea to a charge of first-degree sodomy.

KQ-2 TV reports 47-year-old Everett Harding faces a sentence of five years to life in prison when he is sentenced November 4th.

Harding entered the guilty plea September 16.

He 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 .

Harding remains in the Buchanan County Jail, held without bond.