Former Western Heights Teacher Charged With Rape Involving A Student

A metro teacher in trouble is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.

Authorities said he's charged with rape.

The victim talked to investigators and that teacher is out of a job.

Eric Ramirez, 23, was employed with Western Heights Public Schools for four months before he was fired after the district learned he was a friend with the student on Facebook, which is against district policy.

Ramirez was an adjunct wrestling coach as well as a substitute teacher.

“We are very, you know, angry, shocked, upset, surprised by the situation,” said Western Heights Public Schools Personnel Dir., Brayden Savage.

An inappropriate relationship on Facebook between a then 17-year-old Western Heights High School student and Eric Ramirez was initially reported by the victim's mother.

“When we found out they were actually friends on Facebook, he was terminated,” said Savage.

Savage said that firing happened within 24-hours.

According to court documents, the two met in class.

The victim told investigators, "She noticed [Ramirez] staring at her which eventually lead to them exchanging phone numbers," and "befriending each other on Facebook."

The online conversations quickly turned into "sexting" and "phone calls at night" as well as the victim sending Ramirez nude photos.

The victim told investigators after she turned 18, she and Ramirez had sex.

“We were contacted by Oklahoma City detectives in February, and we did cooperate with them,” said Savage.

But the district wasn't aware of the second degree rape charge until Monday.

Ramirez was only fired back in January for violating the district's social media policy.

“We want to do everything we can to make sure that our employees are upstanding people who would never think of something like this,” said Savage.

The district said Ramirez did pass a background check and met all necessary requirements before he was hired back in October.