PLAISTOW, N.H. (WHDH) - A New Hampshire high school teacher is facing assault charges in connection with an incident involving a student, school and police officials announced Thursday.

David Russell, a math teacher at Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, has been arrested on charges including misdemeanor simple assault and sexual assault, Brian Cochrane, the school district’s superintendent, said in a news release.

Cochrane says his office received a complaint on Nov. 18 alleging that Russell had made an “unprivileged contact” with the student. His office then contacted the New Hampshire Department of Education, the student’s parents, and Plaistow police.

The 63-year-old was placed on leave the next day and will remain so pending the outcome of an investigation, according to Cochrane.

Plaistow police noted that Russell turned himself in on Wednesday after warrants were issued for his arrest.

Russell has since been released on personal recognizance and was ordered not to have contact with the student.

He is slated to be arraigned in Salem District Court on Jan. 31.

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