A science teacher at Dahlonegah Public School in Stilwell was booked into Sequoyah County Jail Dec. 31 after a mother made a report to the Sallisaw Police Department that her two sons had possibly been molested.

Jason Hodge Rider, 36, of Sallisaw was charged Dec. 31 with two counts of lewd molestation in Sequoyah County District Court, Sallisaw. A warrant for Rider’s arrest was issued on Dec. 31. Rider was booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on Jan. 1, and later released on a $25,000 bond. An arraignment was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in district court.

Jeff Limore, Dahlonegah School superintendent, said the school has been notified that charges were filed against Rider and the allegations against him are of a sexual nature.

“Because of the seriousness of the allegations, parents have been notified and Rider has been placed on leave until board proceedings can be held,” Limore said in a press release.

Dahlonegah School administrators declined further comment until the outcome of the investigation.

Sallisaw Police Officers interviewed the two boys and an investigation into the accusations against Rider. According to the report, a 15-year-old juvenile boy told authorities that in October while staying with Rider in Riders home, Rider would come into his room and pull his pants down and start rubbing his penis and legs.

According to the report Rider did this on several occasions. The boy explained that on one occasion while camping with Rider he was watching television in Rider’s camper. He said Rider told his son to go outside and play. The juvenile said when Riders son went outside, Rider started rubbing him. He said when Rider’s son tried to come back inside the camper Rider screamed at him to go play.

The juvenile said on another occasion, Rider grabbed his younger brother’s penis. He said his brother would tell him to stop and Rider would grasp his penis harder. Both juvenile boys told authorities the last time this happened was Dec. 6 when the two boys rode with Rider to Fort Smith, Ark.