A former Pelham Middle School teacher accused of soliciting a minor for sex appeared in court Thursday, asking to be sent to a drug rehabilitation program.

Greg Cavaluzzi, 34, allegedly had sexually explicit conversations online with someone who he thought was a 15-year-old girl. The person, however, turned out to be an FBI agent.

Clinton Calhoun, Cavaluzzi's attorney, says his client was suffering from a cocaine addiction when he got in trouble with the law.

Prosecutors want Cavaluzzi to remain behind bars. They contend he is a flight risk and needs to be further evaluated. However, a federal judge agreed to consider the defense's request to move Cavaluzzi to Pelham Hospital, where he will undergo drug treatment under strict security.

Cavaluzzi will remain behind bars until a decision on his bail is reached. Cavaluzzi's parents, who were present at Thursday's hearing, agreed to post a $100,000 bond for their son.

The former teacher is expected to be back in court Friday.