AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) – A North Augusta man has been arrested and charged in connection with incidents that happened with a student while he was a school resource officer.

56-year-old Donald Eugene Henry Jr. is charged with Sexual Battery with a Student 16 or 17 years old, no aggravated force or coercion. The felony charge could put Henry behind bars for up to 5 years.

Henry is accused of having sexual relations with a student while he was a school resource officer at Midland Valley High School. District officials discovered the allegations involving Deputy Henry last month. The alleged victim denied having any inappropriate contact with the resource officer. According to a release sent Friday afternoon, school officials met with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and shared the investigation information. Within a few days of the start of the school investigation, Deputy Henry resigned from the sheriff’s office. SLED then opened an independent investigation leading to today’s arrest.

Communications Coordinator for the school system, Mike Rosier says, ” We are terribly disappinted by today’s arrest of a former school resource officer entrusted with providing a safe learning enviornment for our students and faculty members. We are pleased to put this matter behind us and continue our focus on accelerated learning for all students.”

SLED’s case against Henry continues. NewsChannel 6 will continue to update you on this developing story as it warrants.