ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Police have arrested a Taft Middle School teacher on a felony charge of criminal sexual contact of a minor for allegedly touching the groin of a 13-year-old student, according to a criminal complaint.
Kenneth Jehle, 53, remained in the Bernalillo County jail Friday, with bail set at $50,000, cash-only, jail records show. He was arrested Wednesday.
Police allege Jehle inappropriately touched the girl on March 3 outside a portable classroom at the school, according to a Bernalillo County criminal complaint.
In an interview with officers, the girl said she was sitting on a railing outside the classroom when Jehle touched her groin, the complaint said.
The student said it was not an isolated incident. She told police Jehle has been doing “weird stuff” for several weeks, including cornering her and tapping her stomach and upper thigh, and once on the backside.
Jehle is on paid leave, according to APS spokesman Rigo Chavez. The district is investigating the incident.
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