Hatch Teacher Accused Of Inappropriate Relationship With Student

He is old enough to be her dad or even grandfather, and she can?t even watch an R-rated movie yet. But sheriff?s investigators said that did not stop a Hatch Valley Middle School teacher from going too far with a student.

John Hesse, a science teacher at Hatch Valley Middle School and a former Las Cruces Public Schools substitute teacher, confessed to having a physical relationship with a 14-year-old female student, sheriff?s investigators said. The relationship allegedly developed over an eight-month time period while she was taking one of his classes.

“It?s disgusting,? a Hatch resident said.

Residents told ABC-7 the Hatch community is shocked by the news.

Sheriff?s investigators said Hesse admitted to kissing and playfully spanking a 14-year-old student in class. But court documents state, he never had sex with her.

The 50-year-old is facing several charges, including criminal sexual contact of a minor.

“This is someone who’s in a position of authority over a child, someone who given his age of 50, should know better than to have any kind of an inappropriate physical relationship with a student,? Captain Michael Kinney of the Dona Ana County Sheriff?s Office said.

Hesse had only been teaching at Hatch Valley Middle School for a year.

Hatch Valley Public Schools Superintendent Anna Lisa Banegas-Pena said Hesse never showed any sign of wrongdoing during his time teaching but this kind of behavior is not tolerated.

“I took immediate action and placed Mr. Hesse on administrative paid leave,? Banegas-Pena said. ?We go to the ultimate measures to make sure we have individuals working with students of integrity and professionalism, so when something like this happens it’s just very shocking.”

Court documents state Hesse and the student exchanged sexually explicit text messages and handwritten letters to each other.

The victim?s mother became suspicious when, investigators said, she found some of that evidence in her daughter?s bedroom.

ABC-7 stopped by Hesse?s Las Cruces home, where a family member denied the alleged relationship.

“Yeah no, he loves all his students. He’s been very caring,? a family member said. ?I support him, I mean, I don’t believe it.”

Hesse is being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center on a $50,000 cash-only bond.

Hesse was also formerly employed with New Mexico State University.