Christian teacher arrested for sex with teenage girl

A Christian-based high school teacher has been arrested on suspicion of having sex with a 16 year old female student.

Scott A. Spies, 49, who teaches at the Auburn Adventist Academy, was arrested last week and booked into the Regional Justice Center in Kent, Washington and is being held on $150,000 bail for investigation of molestation, indecent liberties and sex with a minor girl, police said.

Scott Spies has since been fired, and school officials are helping the girl who was victimized in any way they can. Counselors are being provided for other students.

Meanwhile, faculty members at the close-knit school are reeling from the news that one of their own is suspected of having sex with a student.

"We were called in for a faculty meeting, and that's the first time I heard it," said teacher Tom Allen.

The Auburn police spokesman said the relationship allegedly started in February 2009, when the girl was 15 years old. He said it them became sexual last fall, after the student returned from a visit to Thailand.

The two had intercourse about 15 times - usually at Spies' apartment in Auburn, Colglazier said.

The sexual relationship continued until about two weeks ago, Colglazier said. The girl is now 16 years old.

Meanwhile, administrators began to hear the rumors that Spies was taking the girl back to his apartment in Auburn, and an investigation began.

According to online records, Spies has a master's degree in theology and began teaching at the Auburn Adventist Academy in 2009. He also is an alumnus of the school, graduating in 1979.

Neighbors say Spies kept to himself.

"He just comes and goes. He doesn't stop. He's just really quick. And he's never out. He's just a really quiet man," says one neighbor, Alana Shemchuk.

The school has now removed Spies' name from the faculty list on its Web site. But before its removal, his bio stated that "his passions in life are kids, trains, traveling, the Bible, and letting them know Jesus loves them. His biggest goal is to go to heaven."

School Principal Marvin Mitchell says he wonders how this could happen. "He was very remorseful." says Mitchell.

Auburn Adventist Academy is a private coeducational Christian boarding and day high school operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It holds itself to the highest standards.