Teacher Arrested for Alleged Underage Relationship

James Christopher Hooker held for allegedly having a relationship with a minor in 1998.

A former California teacher who made national headlines when he left his job and family to move in with an 18-year-old student was arrested Friday for previously having sexual contact with another teen, police said.

Christopher Hooker, 41, was arrested on one count of oral copulation with a minor.

Police said it stems from a 1998 relationship he had with a 17-year-old student from Davis High School, where he once taught.

Hooker appeared in court Friday afternoon. A judge set his bail at $50,000 and assigned him a public defender, according to The Modesto Bee.

Hooker requested that his bail amount be reduced, and the judge set a hearing next Tuesday to consider the matter.

Police said the investigation started after Hooker announced his relationship in February with Jordan Powers, whom he taught at Enochs High School.

Appearing on numerous talk shows and in news interviews, both maintain they didn't have a sexual relationship until she turned 18, but police are investigating whether there was inappropriate contact before that.

Powers mother has been spearheading a campaign to get Hooker arrested for having an inappropriate relationship with her daughter.
 

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