Oregon high school teacher arrested on sex abuse charges

SALEM, Ore. - A Salem high school teacher was arrested Monday after being accused of having sex with a minor, according to Salem Police.

Sprague High School teacher 49-year-old Michael Montgomery faces five counts of second-degree sex abuse after he allegedly had sex with one of his female students. It was not immediately known if the 17-year-old junior is currently in one of Montgomery's classes, but police said she has been in the past.

Salem police said Officer Rachel York, with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, spotted a car parked in a prohibited area in the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Area off Highway 22 west of Salem Friday evening, April 13. She became suspicious after she found Montgomery and the girl in the car together. York questioned them but could not immediately determine if criminal activity occurred, but she said their stories didn't add up. She drove the girl home and told her parents about the situation.

The next day, York contacted the girl to follow up on what was going on. The girl told York that it was time to be honest and admitted that she and Montgomery were having sex, Salem police said.

The girl also told York that Montgomery made a pact or agreement with her to not tell the truth and make up a story if anyone found out.

Police arrested Montgomery Monday. According to a school spokesman, he is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the police investigation.

Police say there is no evidence there are other victims but they are still investigating and looking at emails, texts, computer hard drives and website histories.

They wouldn't say how long the alleged abuse occurred except that it was longer than a week but shorter than a year.

Montgomery was hired by the school district in 1986 at McNary High School before he moved to Sprague in 1989.

According to Sprague's website, he teaches English, Spanish, social studies and is the yearbook adviser. Additionally, while he was a student at South Salem High School in 1981, he was elected Youth President of the Senate.

KATU News reporter Emily Sinovic contributed to this story.

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