A Coconino High School teacher accused of having sex with two of his minor students has pleaded innocent to the charges.

John Pertuit, 35, was indicted in early March on six counts of sexual conduct with a minor. Two girls are specified in the indictment, and each count refers to separate incidents between January 2007 and Feb. 14, 2009.

In front of Judge Charles Adams, Pertuit's attorney Bruce Griffen requested a hearing on March 24 to determine whether Pertuit's bail should be lowered. He is being held in the county jail in lieu of $75,000 bond.

Pertuit was arrested without incident Feb. 23 at the school. He is currently on paid administrative leave as an electronics teacher at the high school. Pertuit is also owner of KIKS American Karate. The business rents property at the school.

The two female students, 15 and 16, are also KIKS members. The alleged sexual intercourse appears to have been consensual and did not happen on school grounds, according to police investigators.

He was the subject of a police investigation in 2007 on similar charges, but the case was closed as unfounded when the underaged alleged victim, also a student of Pertuit's, refused to cooperate with police.

Pertuit is the second FUSD teach since 2007 to be accused of having sex with underage students. The last teacher, Tawni Wimberley, was convicted and sentenced to probation, to perform community service and to register as a sex offender for the rest of her life.

One of the counts is considered a class 2 felony because a new law went into effect Jan. 1, increasing the severity of the crime if the alleged act is committed by a teacher in a position of trust. Class 2 felonies are punishable upon conviction by 3 to 12 1/2 years in prison.

The remaining counts are considered class 6 felonies because the alleged acts outlined in the indictment happened prior to the new law taking effect.

Following the release hearing, Pertuit's next court date is scheduled for April 13.

Larry Hendricks can be reached at 556-2262 or lhendricks@azdailysun.com.