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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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Folks need to stop worrying about what makes other people happy and start taking care of your own business.
Scott, this is one of the main reasons this country is in such sad shape, too many of you thinks the world revolves you when it finally dons on you the world doesn't cars a rats a$$ about you. maybe your life might be fuller if you try to help others less fortunate... you think?
And folks need to start keeping our kids safe at school so they don't get shot, stabbed, or molested by their teachers. Guess you don't care about any of that from your post, I am guessing. We aren't talking about two consenting adults here. If we were I would say whatever and sucks his family got hurt.
So you don't mind sex trade in kids or any other crimes against kids? It makes the perverts happy, so too bad for the kids? I'm sure you didn't mean to imply that...we aren't talking about consenting adults so all "makes him happy" considerations are off the table.
I agree with Scott. His comments have nothing to do with the shape of this country or who the world rotates around. Give me a break.
...and the comment about being shot and stabbed by teachers? Uh, really?
This is why California is so broke. It's the holier-than-thou mentality, or should I say stupidity? Our taxpayers' money is going to prosecute people like this, while many and much more serious offenders are being let loose from our "correctional" facilities, because of overcrowding and lack of State money. We criminalize individuals like this to "set an example," make them unemployable for life, and more of a burden to society than before.
I'd love to know how old scott is... studies have shown that narcissism is on the rise while empathy is disappearing in the youngest generation.
He shouldn't have been a teacher, most other jobs he could bang all the 18 year old babes he could gather.
How doe one gather said 18 year old babes? In a gunny sack mayhaps?
Sorry Kevin, I guess it just sucked for you.
Kevin, any way you can gather them.
How in the hell can you prove he ate some Pussy ten years ago?
DNA. Scumbags this filthy don't wash their faces.
Maybe she saved her underwear. I mean Bill Clinton's hummer ended up on a dress and left unwashed hanging in Monica's closet. Maybe this 17 year old was thinking of the future? 14 years later and she probably has some credit card debt that needs to be paid off, so.... Yeah, yeah, HE was a prev....Oh yes...I will bet that she was emotionally scarred for life and NOW feels like she should step forward and see if money will help solve her brain damage and debt problem.
Shame on the State for arresting him on some BS 14 years later. 14 years!!! What a crock of BS!!.
She's an adult and can make her own decisions now, he resigned and is an adult too. It's perfectly ok in most other cultures for a older man to marry a much younger woman. Being her teacher is the problem but other than that it's no ones elses business.
But that IS the problem and it is a big one. They aren't talking about what he did yesterday here...it was when girls were underage and students where he taught. Big difference.
In about twenty years, child molestation should be considered normal, so I'm gonna make my statement now...I'd like to slap that arrogant smirk off of his face.
A 17 year old that commits a violent crime is tried by the govt as an adult. However they are minors when the Govt needs them too be. Make up my mind!
They're just grabbing at straws because they have nothing criminal on him. Just because the government considers someone a adult at 18 means nothing, there are plenty of adults younger than 18 and immature children at 25, 35, or 80.
There may be people not adults at 25,30, or 80. But we draw lines in society all the time so we can have this thing called a civilization.
the number of people who are mature at 25, 30, or 80 are much higher than the number of people who are mature at 17 and below. I don't know why people make arguments based on exceptions. Its like saying cancer isn't deadly based on a few who's cancer cleared up.
Kristen Olsen should be commended for her comments and ideology. As parents we trust Teachers (and others in positions of authority) to have self control. There are a myriad of attractive young students. No question in my mind there are Teachers who are human beings think to themself, "now there's an attractive person." But for gosh sakes, you don't make passes at them, "groom them" or allow yourself act on such thoughts. I don't know of a program to take thoughts out of your head, or any "clockwork orange" to effect one's thoughts. But dammit if an adult can't keep themself from acting on every fricken thought in their head like stealing, coveting, cheating, or at least from raping and molesting. Most of us have the brains and morals not to act on every thought that comes into their head. This is obviously a man who has no such self control and should A) not be allowed to teach B) not receive any benefits afforded to persons live up to being regarded as a Teacher. Sure he waited until the girl was 18, but that's called "grooming" which is just the act of a sick-minded beast. By the way, I'm a semi-well adjusted man who has seen this sick behavior played directly. If there's an opportunity to punch this man in the face, please let me buy a ticket. This is not some story of true love between soul-mates. This is a story of child molestation in the 1st degree. For you who comment things like "man I shoulda been a school teacher to get hot babes," I hope you take a moment and reflect on your comments. One day you will have a child. Is this the son-in-law you want to have a beer with? The guy who was sweet and nice to your daughter in school until the day she turned 18 (if he waited that long) just to get in her pants? I think not.
Looking at the statute of limitations in California, the only way they'd have been able to charge him fourteen years after the fact, is if they went around and 'fished' for victims by interviewing all his former female students.
In short, someone was so offended by his moving in with a woman less than half his age, they deliberately set out to put him in prison.
Exactly, it was her mother who had to get him on something when her daughter is old enough to make up her own mind.
TO182838 "So offended? Or so jealous?"
The guy even looks like a perv. I feel for his wife and child. However, in the long run they're better off. He would appear to be a serial predator. I would bet, can't prove, but would lay odds these are not the only two. SICK! Teacher, leave those kids alone.
Interesting, what does a pervert look like?? EXPLAIN please??
Self satisfied Smirk, balding, fat face, dumb looking, judas hair, just a dick head looking person....why? Do you look like him?
do you feel the same way about Debra LaFavre, the Bengals Cheerleader, Mary Kay Letourneau? Do they look like pervs or is it only reserved to men? Just curious, because to me there is no one look to a predator.
Now maybe the girl will get a rude awakening. Her so called great guy is going to jail. She clearly has a self esteem problem- I mean look at the guy- bald and ugly. She is going to end up a hooker late in life if she doesn't get some help soon. She has some serious mental issues to be shacking up with her teacher.
This is making me so mad, I wanted to smack his smug face when I first saw this pic and now I have to keep seeing it everytime I open MSN...Take this pic down! He is such a pervert and I feel so bad for his wife and kids...put him away for a long time
Oh, and the little tartlet is a complete, naive little naif? Sorry, but it takes two to tango, and in our society today, with all the sexually aware and complete programming on networks like ABC Family, Nickelodeon, etc., GLEE and as well as ALL those 'reality' shows, young people today are WAY more informed and know the score. The parents of the girl are the perverts for not properly educating this wenchette in morality and modesty.
Sure, they're both to blame. But he should have a mature mind by now. She still gets a pass, she still has much to learn.
sag, you have no clue how reality works and how perverts groom kids. How about you go get some education and then post? And calling her parents pervs is just ignorant.
Sag, I wouldn't blame tv, music, etc for children being groomed. Are you telling me sponge bob grooms a child for a predator? I mean seriously. Don't you think the parents should be the ones teaching their kids right from wrong? And why would parents let their kids watch reality shows? Don't you think parents are responsible for their children's well being?
Sorry my comment so long, but I'm furious
Gee, what a surprise!
Im sorry but stuff like this is just funny. I mean it takes them this long to figure this stuff out?? come on now.. i understand he shouldnt have had anything to do with this girl, but who knows the true facts of whats being told. how do you know that this girl didnt do something to pursue him?? you dont. ppl need to look on to both sides instead of just the male figure. I know id be really upset if my daughter came in and told me that she had a thing for her teacher or vice versa. still the point of the matter is that it happened that long ago and just now pressing charges after she turns 18 is a little much. should have been done a long time ago
Doesn't matter if she had a thing for him. HE is the teacher and the adult, and if he couldn't keep his parts to himself and his head out of the gutter he needed to leave teaching and get away from girls that age. The adult teacher is supposed to tell the girl no and get help for her if needed, not teach her how to play "teacher and sex pot". If the girls were 18 when it happened and he wasn't their teacher fine, but he was a teacher so NO it wasn't okay if she threw herself naked on his desk.
I think it does matter if she had a thing for him. What if (not saying that this isn't the case) but how many teachers have been lied on by teens getting back at the teacher for a bad grade? How many teachers have been accused of sexually molesting the kids only to find out it was a lie and the teacher lost a career? (Don't tell me it didn't happened, teacher in Georgia was going thru a divorce and the husband made accusations of her molesting their daughter and her friends, and come to find out it was a lie, she lost her career and her good name).
This is an abuse of authority. Remember the scandal in the Army when drill Sergeants were sleeping with the trainees. Glad this guy is getting what's coming to him via the legal system, and the girl should have listened to her mother.
!5-16 year olds are tried as adults in this country all the time for adult crimes!! A 15-16 year old can be an adult in this country if they do adult crimes! The same 15-16 yo ca nbe a minor if the police need them too be. Whichever they need them to be they are to make their case!
Spoken like a true pedo. (Not that I'm calling you one)
As an educator, I am saddened, but not surprised by this situation. Simply looking at what is on TV on ABC Family and other so-called 'family' networks, everything in this culture today is about nothing but sex - obsessions, gratifications, teasing, flaunting, and just about anything else falling under the umbrella or immodesty and zero-self control.
I've just returned Stateside, and have been working as a substitute teacher. Seriously, I can't tell half the teaching staff from the student body. Maybe this is also a root of this phenomenon? Teachers come dressed in body-hugging T's and teddy tops (female), men nearly as slovenly casual as the kids. Where is the line of authority drawn? All I see at most of the schools I've subbed at is a blur. What can we expect from either the students or the teachers when this is the norm?
They removed some douche bag teacher from my daughters school after she and several other girls reported his inappropriate comments towards them! If he comes back, I'll be at the administration and school board offices!
They were trying to figure out if they should do the right thing or what makes them happy! In my "world" you do the right thing and keep your hands off minors. I hope they stick it to him however they can! He should not be in a classroom much less walking the streets. I do feel for his wife and children. I'm sure they are devastated and humiliated. Hopefully if they send this guy to jail the young lady will come to her senses and realize she can do so much better and have a fulfilling life with a decent young man.
Well, sadly, your world is one that is rapily fading from the American landscape. Just look at Penn State. Joe Paterno (aka Saint Joe Pa) turned a knowing blind eye to Jerry Sandusky, while he used the Penn State facilities as his grooming and violation ground. Now, PSU wants to change the name of the stadium to JoePa Stadium to 'honor' this coach!! But, that is OK, apparently, with the alumni, staff and current student body, because at PSU it is about football, and only football. So who cares about a handful of abused boys, when winning the next big title is all that is important? Sad, sad, sad world!
Sagrata, Those boys were really young. 10 years old or so. Besides that was a case of forced sex - not two people having sex. The girl was probably 17 ( maybe 16) when they began their "relationship" She was old enough to know better.
Oh, I just read alot of the other posts. There is no way you can look at his condesending face and think he is a normal guy of his age or if you do, I am thinking there is much more wrong with society.
Wow look at all the comments from the "christians" on here. Ha ha ha same a**wipes who will fight tooth and nail to defend their local priest and the 39 known pedophiles the vatican refuses to turn over to International authorities. Isn't it great belonging to one of the sickest most hypocritical cults in the world?
Who exactly is Christian in here? Go ahead, point them out.
This is none of our buisness. The girl is of age and that is the end of it. Let this guys wife be blessed she is rid of this guy..
He was a teacher and she was an underage student when things happened. That is why he was arrested. This latest girl? If he did things to her he should be punished as well. I agree his wife is well rid of him, though.
It will be interesting to see if this young lady will testify against him.
Why, are you afraid you will be jailed?. pervert. You are an idiot in all ways possible. And to answer you: YES she will. He is a perv. Just like ...
Now, I realize how my comments can be seen as hypocritical...to get in line to punch this guy in the face...mind you I haven't and won't get that opportunity, so it remains a sick thought in my head. Where his sick thoughts should have remained. Again, more sick comments I see above. Have a child(ren)..then see if you lay out the comments you are laying.