Former West Ottawa Teacher/Coach Takes Plea Deal in CSC Case

GRAND HAVEN, MI (WHTC) – A former West Ottawa Schools teacher won’t contest a fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charge against him. Matthew Powell entered the plea this morning before the second day of a trial in Ottawa County Circuit Court began. Powell was sacked as the Panthers’ head wrestling coach when the allegations of kissing and touching a 16-year-old student in a parked vehicle in Allendale surfaced earlier this year. Judge Jon Hulsing set a January 18^th sentencing date for Powell, who could face up to two years in prison and be a registered sex offender for 25 years.