PORTLAND — A former Auburn music teacher convicted of sex-related federal crimes will have to wait another week to learn about his sentence for the crime.

James Raymond Jr., 29, was in the U.S. District Court Friday morning at his sentencing hearing when he was handcuffed and whisked from the courtroom shortly after the judge called a recess and exited the courtroom.

The building was evacuated and Raymond’s hearing was canceled. It was later rescheduled for Thursday.

A backpack with personal items found in bushes outside the courthouse triggered the evacuation.

Police cordoned off two adjacent streets, used bomb-sniffing dogs and a remote-control robot as well as its bomb-squad. The backpack was deemed safe after police found only a few personal items in it. Court personnel and the public were allowed back in the courthouse by mid-afternoon.

Raymond wore a bright orange jail suit at his hearing. His family and supporters filled the half of the courtroom seating directly behind him.

Before the hearing started, attorneys for both sides were asked to resolve a minor sticking point in one of the presentencing briefs regarding two so-called victims. The defense attorney asserted neither of the two referred to in the brief was a victim in the case.

While waiting for Auburn Police Detective Chad Syphers to appear in court to clear up the dispute, Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Wolff recommended that Raymond be sentenced to 17 ½ years. He pointed out that his recommendation falls five years below the advisory range for the crimes.

Raymond was convicted in May on two counts of transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Each count carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.

Wolff told Justice D. Brock Hornby why Raymond deserved the sentence of 17 ½ years. He said the victim has been entrusted to Raymond, he had abused that trust and arranged the circumstances that led to his criminal actions. Wolff also noted that the victim was 11 years old at the time of the crimes, which constitutes an aggravating factor under the law. Finally, Wolff said Raymond committed perjury during his testimony at this bench trial, including his contention that his statements during an interview with Syphers were coerced.

Richard Hartley, Raymond’s attorney, is seeking a 10-year prison sentence. He also is asking for five years of supervised release, the minimum allowed; Wolff is seeking 10 years of supervised release.