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Debbie Noda / Zuma Press
Enochs High School student Jordan Powers, 18, and James Hooker, 41, a teacher who recently resigned from the school, talk about their relationship on March 27.
Christopher James Hooker, the Modesto, Calif., ex-teacher whose romance with a student drew attention from around the world, was arrested Friday after being charged with one count of oral copulation with a minor in an incident that police said happened 14 years ago, the Modesto Bee reported.
The charge stems from a relationship Hooker is accused of having in 1998 with a 17-year-old student at Davis High School in Modesto, where he was teaching at the time, the newspaper said. Hooker was arrested at his home and booked into Stanislaus County Jail, police said.
Hooker entered a not guilty plea in Stanislaus County Superior Court, where a judge set his bail at $50,000 and assigned him a public defender, the Bee reported. A bail reduction hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
Police were already investigating whether there was a criminal case against Hooker, 41, who resigned his job to move into an apartment with an 18-year-old girl he met while teaching in Modesto.
During the investigation of that case, police said, it was alleged that in 1998 Hooker befriended the 17-year-old student, developed a romantic relationship with her and sexually assaulted her.
After his recent relationship with the 18-year-old came to light, Hooker was placed on administrative leave Feb. 3 by Modesto City Schools and resigned less than three weeks later, according to a report at the Modesto Bee.
Hooker had taught business and computer classes. He left his wife and children to move in with Jordan Powers, an Enochs High School senior whom he met when she was a freshman at the school. One of Hooker's children attends the same high school.
"In making our choice, we've hurt a lot of people," Hooker told the Bee in March. "We keep asking ourselves, 'Do we make everyone else happy or do we follow our hearts?' "
Tammie Powers, the student’s mother, told the Bee she believes Hooker pursued her daughter, and she cited recent problems with her daughter’s grades and health. Her daughter had panic attacks, Powers said.
"I believe it was the stress of the lie," Tammie Powers told the newspaper.
After Hooker moved in with Powers, California Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, crafted legislation to strip teachers of retirement benefits if they have romantic relationships with students.
"My point is, whether you're 18, 17 or 14, the fact remains that a teacher is in a position of authority and influence over that student, and therefore, it is highly inappropriate," Olsen said.
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Wait, so the guy was 27 years old when he met her, and she was 17? And this all happened 14 years ago?? People really need to find something better to be outraged about. I don't really think it's right to "take advantage" of a student, but at 17 the girl is certainly able to make decisions regarding her sexuality/relationships.
There's actual children being raped & murdered in different parts of the world, and part of that is paid for by your tax dollars; sex trafficking is a huge problem that most people don't pay attention to; yet everyone somehow cares about a case like this. @!$%#ing ridiculous.
If it weren't for sick people like this man, there would not be a market for sex trafficking of children. Obviously you are a man so I forgive your assumption that a 17 year old GIRL can make rational decisions about her life. Barely out of puberty, full of hormones and decision-making are not really things that should be mentioned in the same catagory. There is a reason KIDS are in school, they are there for education - as a society, we obviously see a reason that at 17 a CHILD should still be in school... If they were trustworthy to make informed and rational decisions, my guess is that this guy would never have had the problems he is faced with today as these GIRLS would certainly know better and he would be out of business.
Truly an irrational set of statements. For one, what does being in school have to equate with being of sexual maturity? School extends past highschool, into college & beyond. Life is learning. There are people in their 20s still in highschool, and people 14-16 that go to college; so the line you've set is far from static; it's invalid.
Being attracted to any girl younger than 18 doesn't make one a pedophile; by definition a pedophile is attracted to PRE-pubescent human beings. You've constructed a cultural stigma that lacks any reason, & has no respect for history nor biology. Most cultures outside of America are more understanding of sexuality & the reasonable boundaries.
And really? You think guys that are attracted to 17 year olds are the reason sex trafficking exist?? How naive. Utter nonsense.
Touche, you are obviously a product of our awesome educational system and know way more about pedophiles, sex trafficking and children being murdered than me. I bow to your superior argument.
I suspect we'll hear of more inappropriate relationships this scumbag had with yet more under-age students. The behavior he's displaying doesn't occur in isolation, nor is it a one-time occurrence.
ah California " The land of fruits and nuts"
Duh - Did you not see this @!$%# coming? Dude you are now going to be someone's bitch - what a dumb ass!
I met a girl, a neighbors daughter when she was 13. Charming kid, we enjoyed seeing each other, chatting;her company was always pleasant and interesting. Married her 4 years later! But, sure had hell to pay with her parents' absolute hatred and distrust over those years. Everyone loved to assume sex/lust/abuse, something evil or horrid, drove the relationship and, of course, it was me, my fault, cause I was 15 yrs her senior! I'm older/wiser, evil, a plotter...
We're happily looking forward to our 33rd Anniv this spring,celebrating with our 3 wondrous and beautifully healthy, normal children. It happens. You've just got to click with someone, and (good luck to all) perceive that it's a loving relationship that will last.
Are the real pervs the ones who like to assume or imagine a relationship with a young partner as always nasty, cause it's what they'd make it?
It can be in your heart, not just your hard-on...jerks.
There was 15 years difference between my Grandma and Grandpa, pa being the older of the 2 and he was called a cradle robber too.
I met my partner when I was 19 and he was 41 and we have been together for three years now and going strong, and we have a lot in common too, which is a big misconception when older people fall in love with younger people, I'm more of the mature wise one, and my partner who is older is more fun loving and a child at heart, so we compliment each other, and yes when he gets older I might have to change his diaper, but like any relationship its about sacrifice, and taking care of one another, so what's the difference. I guess people shouldn't judge others by the cover, not everyone fits the stereotype of what they perceive to be true, I stopped caring about what others thought a long time ago, its really there problem not mine.
It's NOT following your heart that's good,.....it DOING what's RIGHT,....it's called CHARACTER, penis brain.
What a joke! Not saying what this man did was right, however, it sounds to me like she found someone new and wanted out and what better way to clean his ass out was by putting him in jail. No jury will ever convict him. And by the way if you are not aware of if? Adultery is against the law in all states, never been taken off the books. 14 teen years ago they should have charged this pig! But now she wants out so let me put this creep in jail. Shame on the both of them!!!!!!!
Dude,
The 18 y.o. he is living with is still with him.
The charge is from from some other alleged event that occurred 14 years ago with a 17 y.o.
Literacy, its worth it!
Just what is the statue of limitations on oral copulation in California?17 yr old. really. I guess that's news today.
Five minutes!
I'd side with Darwin on this one.
Women have been getting married younger than this for centuries. My own Great Grandmother was 17 when she married. Laws vary around the world. Her and her husband had nearly 80 years of happy marriage, and my great grandfather was a decade older then her.
I resent anyone who calls their marriage bad, or my grandfather a perv. Fact is, its only been the last century that puritans have decided women need to be 21 before they can marry, and everyone should be the same age. 100 years ago parents couldnt wait to marry off a daughter from about 16 on. Sometimes younger. And often to men a lot older.
Grampy was a Mormon perhaps?
he's not fallowing his hearth...he's fallowing his penis ! and when he's 61..she will be ready for a 25 year old, and he and his shrivelled up penis will be history...
he's Lucky its not my daughter....VERY VERY LUCKY !
WHERE IS HER FATHER ??
Molesting a 17 year old? Doesn't that sound just a little sensational? Rape? Give me a break. Aren't we falling into a double standard here? Every year we hear about these female teachers going after some young hunks and yet the punishments are as minor and dismissive as the terms used to describe the tryst.
As repugnant as this guy may be, going back 14 years to arrest him over this is nothing short of a witch hunt. Good luck proving anything other than it produces a titillating headline.
Also ask yourself what kind of home life these girls had to make this guy, or his rap, seem like a good option.
Lastly, for those of you who live around military bases in the country, 17 year old girls are throwing themselves at (27 y.o.) GIs all the time. This isn't news, it is called a weekend in Bremerton.
Go back to your miserable lives and stop being so self-righteous when it comes to other people's bedrooms. She is 18 and sees something in this dope. Even if it is just a ticket out of her house and away from her obviously hysterical mother.
Although I don't advocate what he did, I don't really think its anyone's business to judge, every situation is different, not everyone is a pervert , just because someone fits the bill of a sexual predator, it doesn't mean they are one, if all they wanted was sex, and if all he wanted to do was take advantage of her, than why would they bother coming out into the open with it , they could have kept it secret , but they didn't,why risk it, I don't think there stupid, I think they really loved each other and they were tired of hiding it from everybody.
He was pursuing her when she was a freshman, he was talking to her and texting her while she was on a field trip at 2 am, she was riding in his car and he was asking sexual and personal questions. No male teacher should be calling a young girl in the middle of the night. He is a nasty pervert who has embarrassed his whole family and left them while quitting his job and can't support his kids now. I can't believe she doesn't want to go to dances and prom instead of cooking cleaning and picking up his dirty underwear. He is robbing her of her childhood that she'll never get back.
How many boys did she bang before she suckerd that fool.
OK , Dudes, speaking from experiance, never go to bed with a woman that is crazier than you are or one that old enough to be your daughter. Murphy's Law on Sex101
Wow. 1998? Okay, I get it, it appears this guy likes his girls young. It just amazes me however, that a woman can go to the police, tell them a man did something bad, have no proof or evidence, and he can be arrested and taken to jail until he can make bail, so long after it may have happened. Look out fellas. Got an old girl friend who wants revenge? How about that niece you didn't get the bike for Christmas? I am 100 percent behind law enforcement going after child predators. I also believe in the constitution.
Making a criminal case out of something that happened 14 or more years ago is impossible. What a bunch of desperate morons.
Haterrrrrrs. I'm 29 and I have an 18 year old chick. Best believe I give her the jackhammer every night. High five?
How many boys did she bang before she suckerd that fool.
A crime commited 14 years ago will be very difficult, not to mention expensive to prosecute. His current girlfriend is 18 years old. She is old enough to vote, join the military, drive a car, get a loan, etc. She is also old enough to consent to sex and engage in a relationship with whomever she chooses, even if she choses to be a homewrecker and date a married man more than twice her age. These relationships rarely work out and he will be the one left holding the bag, sacrificing his relationship with his wife and kids to fulfill a fantasy. There is no crime being committed here, only a gross lack of moral judgement. Nothing to see here folks, lets move on to more important matters that are our business.
Throughout most of history women had a couple kids by the time they were 17. A socialist/communist system likes to keep people thinking they are children until they are to old and tired to revolt against their oppressors.
True
anyone notice this guy is closer in age to his new girlfriend than Alec Baldwin is to his?
So?
LMAO at these comments. When it was a high school senior boy who supposedly did the deed with the cheerleader/teacher, he was given high fives and admired, and it was ok with the age difference, and it was ok that she was a teacher because she was hot. Go figure.
This young woman will lose interest in him because she will continue to grow and mature and change. He will lose interest in her because he wont grow mature or change. He will just keep looking for young victims. What a sick perv. I hope this young woman learns sooner rather than later before she wastes too much time on this crumb.