By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

A Chelsea High School teacher has been arrested and charged with having sexual contact with a student under 19.

Hoover resident John Martin Noles, 36, a Chelsea High social studies teacher, was arrested May 23 at his home. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail and held on a $6,000 bond, according to a Shelby County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Noles posted bond and was released the same day as his arrest, according to the sheriff’s office website.

Shelby County Schools spokesperson Cindy Warner released a statement May 24 saying Noles was placed on administrative leave once system officials learned of the allegations against him.

“We are aware of these allegations and take them very seriously. The school district took immediate action when we were made aware of these allegations in early May,” Warner wrote in the statement. “Mr. Noles has been placed on administrative leave while the school district continues to conduct an ongoing investigation into this matter, in cooperation with law enforcement officials.”