Hockinson High athletic trainer arraigned

A Hockinson High School athletic trainer who allegedly initiated an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old female student was arraigned Friday in Clark County Superior Court.

Jason Meharry, 26, entered not-guilty pleas to three counts of first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor. His trial was set for July 9. He is not being held in custody.

Meharry is under contract as a sports trainer at the high school, treating student athletes in need of physical therapy. He has an office inside the school and “acts in a supervisory role and adviser at Hockinson High School when overseeing students requiring medical attention,” court records state.

Meharry told investigators he started dating the student in December and that she came to his apartment four times, during which the two had sexual contact. The girl said that they went on at least two dates and took “selfies” together. She said she kissed and hugged Meharry because she was attracted to him, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

He was immediately placed on leave after school administrators on March 23 heard about the possibility of inappropriate conduct. They also contacted the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and notified his employer, ProActive Physical Therapy Specialists in Vancouver. Meharry’s biography has since been taken down from the company’s website.

Washington state law says a person is guilty of first-degree sexual misconduct if they have sex with a 16-year-old victim who is at least five years younger, if the person abuses a supervisory position they have over a victim younger than 18, or if the person is a school employee and has sex with an underage student, among other criteria.