NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. -- A Ridgewood High School teacher was arrested Tuesday for having sex with a minor, officials said. 

  • Sean Gallegos charged with sexual battery custodial authority
  • He is booked at Hillsborough County Jail

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office said Sean Gallegos, 43, engaged in inappropriate sexual activity with a 16-year-old female student on more than one occasion in April of this year. 

Investigators said Gallegos was acting in authority as a teacher at Ridgewood High School during that time. 

Students we spoke to at Ridgewood said they came away from the incident feeling betrayed by a teacher they trusted.

"He was a really smart guy and I respected him," said student Justin Trahan. "It's kind of cliché to say this, but I wouldn't expect this from him. I'm shocked by it." 

Parents we spoke to who received calls from the school about the incident said they were stunned.

"We leave our kids with the teachers," said Fanya Moore. "They're responsible for them. It could have been my kid. I think it's actually disgusting."

Gallegos was arrested for two counts of sexual battery custodial authority and booked into the Hillsborough County jail on a Pasco County warrant.