A former Lehighton Area High School teacher could face up to 14 years in prison when he is sentenced March 27 after pleading guilty earlier this month to two third-degree felonies.

Michael James Feifel, 56, of Walnutport, pleaded guilty to one count each of unlawful contact with minor-prostitution and criminal use of a communication facility, on Jan. 3 in Lehigh County. He was arrested in South Whitehall Township in July 2023 and accused of arranging to meet a 17-year-old female for sex acts.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, a multi-jurisdictional human trafficking operation was held in the South Whitehall Township area on June 29 to combat sex trafficking in which several ads were posted on popular sex websites.

In one of those ads, a Homeland Security Task Force Officer operating in an undercover capacity posted an ad that she was working with another female.

Feifel responded to the ad, court papers say. The agent posed as a 17-year-old girl working with a 14-year-old girl.

Feifel said he was willing to meet the 17-year-old girl and specific sex acts and prices were agreed upon, according to court papers.

During the conversation, Feifel said he wanted to come to the location to engage in these sex acts, so the agents provided him with a South Whitehall Township location, officials said.

When he arrived, court papers say he parked his vehicle, went to a building’s vestibule where he was taken into custody.

He was taken back to South Whitehall Township Police Department for an interview.

Officials said Feifel had the money for the agreed upon sex acts and his cellphone.

Police confirmed it was the same cellphone used to make arrangements for the meeting.

Feifel resigned his teaching position with Lehighton effective Aug. 20, 2023.

According to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan, Feifel also faces a potential fine of up to $30,000 when he is sentenced.

“He will also be required to register as a sex offender for at least 25 years under current Pennsylvania law,” Holihan added.

Feifel’s sentencing is currently scheduled for March 27 at 1:30 p.m. in front of Lehigh County Judge Robert Steinberg.