ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A former middle school teacher accused of molesting a student appeared in court, for the first time, since being accused of breaking the orders of his release.
Kenneth Jehle is charged with child abuse and criminal sexual contact with a minor.
Under the conditions of his release, the former Taft Middle School teacher was ordered not to leave Bernalillo County, with the exception to visiting his ailing father in Michigan.
Documents reveal, prosecutors found photos and check-in’s on Jehle’s Facebook page, suggesting he’d visited Thailand.
Thursday, prosecutors asked the court to re-arrest him until trial, but Judge Cindy Leos ruled he had to turn over his passport.
If Jehle left it in Michigan, he will have to travel there to get it and be back to surrender it on Saturday.
Jehle will also have to check into Pre-Trial Services on Monday.
He faces more than 37 years in prison if convicted for the charges.