Tulsa High School Teacher Arrested On Rape Complaint

A Tulsa Public Schools social studies teacher has been arrested on a complaint of second degree rape.

Tulsa Police arrested Maurice Parker, 41, who works at Central High School, on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. The veteranteacher is already out of jail on bond.

Tulsa Police say the student in this case is 18-years-old and the relationship was consensual.

But since Maurice Parker was in a position of authority over the teenager, he could face a second degree rape charge.

"As long as he is in a role that has direct influence over her in her education, then certainly there's a problem," said Tulsa Police Officer Jason Willingham.

The 18-year-old student told police she had sex with her social studies teacher, Maurice Parker, at least three times in the last month at his South Tulsa apartment.

Officers say they recorded a phone call between the teenager and Parker that confirmed their sexual relationship.

TPS Spokesperson Chris Payne says this is a question of trust.

"That's just one of those things that, regardless of the student's age, you always want to protect something that is pretty sacred," Payne said.

Payne says Parker has taught in Tulsa Public School since 1997, serving at Monroe and Lewis and Clark Middle Schools, before joining the staff at Central.

"They do receive training. We have screening processes in place to try to prevent this from happening. It's unfortunate," Payne said.

Investigators say they don't think there are any other victims right now. But they're still investigating.

Tulsa Public Schools says Parker has been suspended with pay.  Termination proceedings are underway.