A Ceres Unified School District teacher was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center Friday for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a high school student who is a minor.

Orlando Barba, 30, faces criminal charges to include annoying/molesting a child under 18 years old; and lewd and lascivious acts with a child 14-15 years old when the suspect is over 10 years older than the victim.

It is unclear where the relationship with the student was based.

The Ceres Unified School District placed Barba on administrative leave from his teaching position at Mae Hensley Junior High School. Barba had been employed with CUSD since 2015, and previously worked at Argus Continuation High School and was a coach for the Central Valley High School girls’ junior varsity soccer team.

Ceres Police Department spokesman Sgt. Keith Griebel said that the Ceres Unified School District is cooperating fully with the investigation.

The school district said in a release: “Upon learning of the serious allegations that led to the investigation, CUSD immediately removed Mr. Barba from interacting with students and is cooperating with law enforcement. The district was notified today that an arrest has been made on charges related to having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a high school student.

“Mr. Barba has been employed with CUSD since 2015. District records reflect that background and reference checks were properly conducted. We are making arrangements to ensure student instruction is not disrupted.

“CUSD has no higher priority than the safety and well-being of our students. Families of students who may have interacted with Mr. Barba have been contacted, and resources are available to support any student who may be affected by this matter.”