Tad Cummins pleads not guilty in federal case

Tad Cummins, a former Columbia teacher charged with fleeing the state with one of his students, has pleaded not guilty in the case.

Cummins entered the plea in a court filing and waived his appearance for an arraignment hearing that had been scheduled for Thursday. It's common for defendants to plead not guilty early in a case. 

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The 50-year-old was charged earlier this month with obstruction of justice and transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual conduct. The 15-year-old girl, Elizabeth Thomas, was Cummins' former student.

Cummins and the girl were found in northern California, in a remote forest cabin, on April 20, about weeks after they disappeared. The girl was safe and returned to her family.

If found guilty in the case, Cummins could face a minimum prison term of 10 years. 

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More:Tad Cummins planned to take Elizabeth Thomas to Mexico, court documents say

Reach Stacey Barchenger at 615-726-8968, sbarchenger@tennessean.com or on Twitter @sbarchenger.