Gowrie, Iowa/KCCI — A former teacher in Webster County has been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee. According to KCCI, 29-year-old Brandon Louis is the former choir director at Southeast Valley High School in Gowrie.

His arrest comes after a yearlong investigation involving search warrants and dozens of current and former students interviewed.  Louis resigned last fall amid allegations he sent inappropriate messages to students. Sexual exploitation by a school employee is a Class D felony.

Brian Johnson, the superintendent of Southeast Valley Schools, told the TV station the district has cooperated since the beginning of the investigation.