TOLLAND, Conn. (WTNH) — A now-former teacher in Tolland faces charges stemming from an alleged sexual assault that occurred nearly 10 years ago involving a student that attended Tolland High School.

Kris Coffey, 43, of Coventry, was arrested on April 7 and charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault following a state police investigation.

The Department of Children and Families received an anonymous tip in early February 2023 about an inappropriate relationship between Coffey and a high school student in the 2014-15 school year.

According to the arrest warrant, the victim and Coffey told the police about their relationship, which included encounters in the classroom and meetings in the woods. Both also said they had kept in touch over the years. Coffey visited her in college, and they exchanged emails as recently as a month ago.

Walter Willett, the superintendent of Tolland Public Schools, said the district was made of the investigation on Feb. 26, 2023. Coffey was immediately placed on administrative leave and subsequently resigned. Willett did not provide an exact date of Coffey’s resignation.

“The district was unaware of the incident at the time it was reported to have occurred and has cooperated immediately and fully from the moment it was informed of the investigation. I have been advised the charges at this time do not involve current Tolland students,” Willett wrote in a letter to the school community on Friday, April 7.

According to the arrest warrant, Coffey had been an employee at Tolland High School for about 15 years and taught junior and senior English.

“School counselors, psychologists, and social workers are available to students, and the school offers programming to support student mental health, safety, and welfare. The Tolland Public Schools will continue to work with students and their families to offer support and services as student and family welfare is of the utmost importance.”

The school district is on spring break through April 14. If a counselor is needed during the break, Willett said parents/guardians should call 860-870-6850 ext. 1.

Coffey is being held on a $150,000 bond and was due in court Monday.

The report below is from News 8 at 9 p.m. on April 10, 2023.

Ethan Poverman, a former student, said he was surprised by the allegations.

“I didn’t believe it,” he said. “I thought it was a joke, and I then I had to check, and I was like, ‘Wait a minute, Kris Coffey?'”

Adam Lange, a current senior, said he was many students’ favorite teacher.

“I do believe there could’ve been other students, especially 10 years ago,” he said. “There are probably new laws today that sort of enforce those.”