The trial of a Cold Spring High School teacher accused of extortion and possessing child porn will begin today.

Investigators say 25 year old Derrick LePard of Holly Pond threatened to lower one student's grades unless he took explicit photos of himself. Police found out about the incident while investigating LePardon an unrelated accusation that he was sending inappropriate messages to students.

LePard resigned from his position at Cold Springs High after being indicted and arrested in July.