AZTEC, N.M. — Authorities in New Mexico say a former high school teacher accused of having sex with a student admitted to doing so with several other girls while a teacher in Aztec.

Police say 31-year-old James Dee Coulter had sex with a student when she was 17-years-old and that he told police following his arrest on Friday that there were more.

Police say their investigation began in June after the state’s Public Education Department contacted them about allegations against Coulter.

PED turned over evidence and statement indicating the former math and philosophy teacher had an illicit sexual relationship with at least one girl.

Coulter told police on Friday that he had several more sexual relationships with other girls Aztec High School, where he previously taught.

He faces four counts of criminal sexual penetration of a minor.