Retired Lt. Col. Kevin Patrick Holeman, commander of East Union High ’s JROTC Lancer Battalion, was arrested Tuesday on three felony charges alleging he had ongoing sexual relations with a 16-year-old female student.

While the investigation was started on Aug. 6, Holeman wasn’t arrested until Aug. 18 by the Manteca Police Sexual Assault Unit because officers were conducting an in-depth investigation at the school for nearly two weeks.  He was booked into county jail where his bail was set at $500,000. He met bail later in the day.

He was put on paid administrative leave by the Manteca Unified School Distroct.

A statement from the office of MUSD Superintendent Jason Messer read:

“Our first concern is with the safety of our students. School officials are cooperating with law enforcement during the ongoing investigation. At this time the teacher has been placed on paid administrative leave until further notice.”

The three felony charges included unlawful intercourse with a minor, harmful material sent to a minor for the purpose of seduction and contact with a minor with sexual intent.  One misdemeanor charge was for allegedly annoying or molesting a minor.

Holeman is a retired U.S. Army officer. He was hired by the Manteca Unified School District to command the JROTC at the North Union Road campus on Aug. 18, 2011.

The Lancer Battalion students have received numerous honors and tributes for their competitions both armed and unarmed in uniform with other units across the country.