A Northland High School teacher has been arrested and charged with compelling prostitution.
60-year old Robert Pea allegedly contacted the minor victim through an online advertisement and paid for sex, a third degree felony.
He was arrested by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, who were following up on a tip that the underage girl was being trafficked. Police say Pea became a person of interest following interviews and a search of cellphone records. He was arrested Wednesday morning following an interview.
Pea has been employed by the Columbus City Schools since 1998 and teaches social studies as well as coaching boys' golf and bowling. He has been suspended without pay will in custody, and will remain out of the classroom until the criminal charges are resolved. A district spokesperson says the arrest is a "non-school related matter."