A pretrial conference for a former substitute teacher and basketball coach accused of having sex with students was continued because the prosecutor was unavailable.
The defendant, Mohamed A. Dirshe, also was not in court Wednesday. But his attorney, KiAnn McBratney, said she had discussed with the prosecutor, County Attorney Frank Kohl, the fact that Dirshe’s presence was not required for a pretrial conference.
Deputy County Attorney Roger Marrs appeared Wednesday in Leavenworth County District Court on behalf of the prosecution. He said Kohl was attending a funeral.
McBratney asked Marrs if he wanted to continue the pretrial conference. Marrs said this may be the best course of action.
McBratney said, based on the nature of the charges, Kohl may want to handle the pretrial conference.
The pretrial conference was continued until Dec. 17.
Dirshe, 26, is charged with three counts of unlawful sexual relations and three counts of furnishing alcohol to minors for illicit purposes, all felonies.
He is accused of inviting 16-year-old boys to his Leavenworth home in October and December 2007, giving them alcohol and having sexual relations with them, according to police.
One of the victims was a student at Immaculata High School. The other was a student at Leavenworth High School.
Dirshe worked as a substitute teacher for Leavenworth public schools until February when district officials learned of possible allegations against him.
Dirshe also worked for a period of time as an assistant coach at Immaculata.
