Teacher, 60, Accused Of Raping Student On School Premises, At Home For 4 Years

An Oklahoma school teacher was arrested for having inappropriate sexual encounters with a former student on school property and at his home.

Raymond Thomas Garner, 60, was reportedly arrested Wednesday morning on charges that include rape and lewd acts of a minor.

The department began an investigation on Jan. 27 after a student resource officer received a report about Garner. The Mustang High School science teacher and National Honor Society advisor was accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student from 2014 to 2017, according to KOCO 5.

"This information was relayed to our Criminal Investigations Division for follow up," Mustang Police Chief Rob Groseclose told KFOR. "CID staff spoke with the reported victim where she disclosed that she had been in an unwanted long-time sexual relationship with her former high school science teacher while attending Mustang High School. City staff conducted a formal interview with the victim, who gave great detail related to numerous inappropriate sex acts involving Mr. Garner from 2014 to 2017."

The victim provided physical evidence to support the allegations against Garner, who has been employed at Mustang Public Schools for the last 33 years.

The unwanted sexual acts occurred "hundreds" of times at Garner's Oklahoma City home and on the school premises, officials said.

"It was incredibly brave for this young woman to admit what happened to her while a student in Mustang," Groseclose added. "Often times, rape is not reported because the victim fears she or he won't be believed. When a teacher who has influence over a student's future is violating her in a sexual manner, it can be even more difficult to come forward."

Garner is facing charges of first-degree rape, lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child and forcible sodomy. He is being held at the Mustang City Jail.

Parents of Mustang High School students grew concerned after the news of the accused teacher broke out.

"I didn't really know him, and as far as I know, neither of my kids had him as a teacher," one mother told the outlet. "I'm in shock, though, seeing as how he's been a teacher for 33 years. It brings to mind the question: How many others?"

"We are shocked, saddened, and outraged at the allegations levied against one of our long-time employees today," Mustang Public Schools Superintendent Charles Bradley said in a statement. "We will continue to cooperate fully with our law enforcement partners during their investigation and will work quickly on our internal investigation as well."