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Gilbert Olivares, 34, a drug and alcohol counselor at Salinas High School, was arrested on charges he molested a 14-year-old student. Some of the alleged sexual acts happened at Salinas High, where Olivares allegedly used his position to get the boy out of class, officials say. Olivares has worked at the school for five years, but is employed by Sunrise House, a drug and alcohol abuse center.

Salinas Police Sgt. Christopher Lane said the investigation began on the March 13 after the victim’s family members saw inappropriate messages and called police. Olivares was arrested after police questioned him at the high school, then booked into Monterey County Jail on eight counts of contacting a minor with sexual intent, three counts of committing lewd acts with a child and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

“We worked with the school in an attempt to keep it as low-key as possible,” Lane says.

Olivares left the teen a number of messages related to sexual acts and propositions, Lane says.

Police also say he had physical contact with the teen on school grounds. “We believe there was inappropriate touching on three different occasions,” police say.

In a written statement from Salinas High School principal Sascha Heckmann, the school has taken appropriate action to ensure student safety, and Olivares won’t be allowed on any district school property.

“The school is reviewing student call out procedures to ensure all contact with students is appropriate in nature,” according to the statement.

Police served a search warrant on Olivares’ Hyland Drive home and confiscated electronics equipment.

It was not immediately clear when Olivares was to appear in court for arraignment.