LONGVIEW, Wash. -- A Longview high school teacher is one of two men accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old student.

R.A. Long High School math teacher and assistant soccer coach 25-year-old Joseph Starkey was charged Monday with rape, harboring a runaway and providing liquor to the girl.

(kgw.com graphic)

When police went to Starkey’s home looking for a reported runaway, they said they found 38-year-old Dennis Edward Baker outside. The 15-year-old girl told police she had been sexually involved with Baker, he denied the accusations, but said he knew the girl.

  Ore. teacher accused of touching student

The girl said Baker gave her a cell phone, gifts, cash and alcohol over a year-and-a-half period.

Starkey told police the 15-year-old girl at the center of the case was in his mathematics class, and the girl was staying with him last week when he gave her alcohol and the two had sex.

Superintendent Nick Seaver told the Daily News Starkey would be put on leave while the case was investigated.

“I can tell you this -- we're going to protect the kids," he said.

A court date was set for April 1.

School Principal Andrew Frost says officials are cooperating in the investigation.