A former teacher for the Onondaga Nation in New York was released from jail pending his appeal on charges that he molested a first-grade student at a school on the reservation.

Albert Scerbo, 47, was sentenced to 10 years probation and six months in jail for abusing the student. But a state Supreme Court justice allowed him to go free while he pursues an appeal of his case.

"I'm innocent of these convictions," Scerbo told the judge at his sentencing hearing, The Syracuse Post-Standard reported.

Scerbo went on trial twice and he was acquitted of most of the charges against him. He was initially accused of abusing or endangering 17 students.

Get the Story:
Former Onondaga Nation teacher Albert Scerbo released from jail pending appeal (The Syracuse Post-Standard 8/13)
Former Onondaga Nation teacher Albert Scerbo insists he's innocent (The Syracuse Post-Standard 8/12)

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