A FORMER SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA TEACHER HAS PLED GUILTY TO VARIOUS SEXUAL OFFENSES IN SMYTH COUNTY. 33 YEAR OLD MICHAEL ZANE GATES OF GLADE SPRING PLED GUILTY TO HAVING INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT WITH A FEMALE STUDENT AT NORTHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL IN SMYTH COUNTY. THE OFFENSES OCCURRED BETWEEN JUNE 2006 AND FEBRUARY 2007. GATES REMAINS FREE ON A 20-THOUSAND DOLLARS BOND. HE HAS A SENTENCING HEARING SET FOR DECEMBER 13TH. MEANWHILE, SINCE SOME OF THE OFFENSES ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, GATES WILL GO ON TRIAL OCTOBER 29TH ON SIMILAR CHARGES IN THAT COURT.