BATAVIA — A former New Richmond High School English teacher is in the Clermont County Jail, accused of having a sexual relationship with a senior at the school.

        Gary Young, 37, was arrested at his Union Township home on Friday and charged with one count of sexual battery, a third-degree felony. If convicted he faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Young

        Police began investigating Mr. Young after school officials contacted the sheriff's office this week following receipt of letters Mr. Young wrote to colleagues. The letters described his relationship with the now 18-year-old student, who was not enrolled in Mr. Young's classes. She was 17 when the relationship began.

        Superintendent Loren Wilson said the content of the letters suggested that sexual contact had occurred between Mr. Young and the student.

        Mr. Wilson said school officials had heard rumors that Mr. Young was involved with the teen, but he denied them. When Mr. Young was questioned Tuesday, he resigned.

        After he resigned, school officials saw the letters and contacted the sheriff's office.

        “This is an unfortunate thing,” Mr. Wilson said Friday. “We want to make sure our students are safe at school. We are embarrassed by this and we want to make sure it doesn't happen again.”

        Mr. Young had been a language arts teacher in the high school since 1990 and was well-liked by students, Mr. Wilson said. Educators said they became concerned when they saw the student stopping by his classroom frequently.

        Mr. Young will appear in Clermont County Municipal Court on March 2 for a preliminary hearing on the charge.

        The investigation is continuing, officials said.

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