A Hudson Valley teacher with ties to Orange, Dutchess and Sullivan County was charged with rape by the New York State Police.

While employed as an English Teacher by the Tri-Valley School District, James Horton, 31, had sexual contact with a female student, under the age of 17, New York State Police said. The alleged sexual event happened during school hours.

Horton was arrested Wednesday and charged with three counts of 3rd-degree rape and one count of 3rd-degree criminal sexual act, both felonies. Additionally, the Maybrook resident was charged with a misdemeanor of endangering the welfare of a child.

Horton left the Tri-Valley School District in early November of 2015 to take a job with the Poughkeepsie School District. He replaced a Poughkeepsie teacher who had resigned.

Police say Horton does not have a prior criminal record and believe he did not have sexual contact with any other students.

Horton was arraigned in the Town of Neversink Court and remanded to the Sullivan County Jail with bail set at $30,000 cash/bond.

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