NAMPA — A former Ridgevue High School teacher was arrested Thursday night and now faces decades in prison if convicted of the crimes with which he’s been accused.

Nampa Police Special Enforcement Team arrested the former teacher “without incident,” according to a Nampa Police Department release, following a report of the former teacher’s suspicious behavior with a student. While listed on Ridgevue High School’s staff directory on Friday morning as a career and technical education faculty member, the district said Friday that he no longer works within the Vallivue School District.

Troy Wayne McFadden, 46, of Nampa, faces two charges of felony sexual battery, according to online court records and the Canyon County Jail roster. The first charge is sexual battery of minor child 16 or 17 years of age-cause or have sexual contact with such minor child, not amounting to lewd conduct. The charge, if McFadden is convicted, could carry with it a sentence of up to 25 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

The second charge McFadden faces is sexual battery of a minor 16 or 17 years of age-solicit such minor child to participate in a sexual act. That charge also carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

McFadden, a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander, said few words at his video arraignment Friday afternoon from the Canyon County Jail, where he is currently booked on a $500,000 bond.

McFadden’s attorney, Angela Chang, of Bartlett Law Defense Attorneys, tried to provide reasons for a $100,000 bond instead of a $500,000 bond. Those reasons included how he has no criminal history, no failures to appear, no substance abuse history and his status as a retired officer in the Navy “for over 25 years.”

The state, however, argued the charges have an “extremely serious nature,” because McFadden, at least most recently, worked at a school. The state asked for $500,000 bond pre-trial release, GPS monitoring, and a no-contact order.

Canyon County Magistrate Judge Chad Gulstrom noted there are “a number of aggravating circumstances given McFadden’s position in relation to the victim.”

“At this point I am going to set bond in the amount of $500,000,” Gulstrom said. “I will require that he reports to pre-trial release and follow the standard reporting conditions.”

McFadden also must abide by a no-contact order, including contact with the victim or any minor children, and is not go within 900 feet of the alleged victim, 900 feet from the victim’s residence, or 900 feet from Ridgevue High School.

“This time there are no exceptions,” Gulstrom said before setting McFadden’s pre-trial hearing for June 26 at 8:30 a.m., with Canyon County Magistrate Judge Matthew Thompson.

NPD detectives were made aware of a report of suspicious behavior involving McFadden on May 26, the report states. The incident involving McFadden, who was then a teacher at Ridgevue, allegedly included an interaction with a student off-campus, the release states. NPD detectives started an investigation at that point into the events surrounding the reported behavior.

“Investigators believe this is an isolated incident and have no indication of other victims,” the release states.

Parents are encouraged to speak with their children “who may have had contact with McFadden” and report any inappropriate conduct.

NPD Sgt. Brad Barnum, of Nampa Police Persons Crimes Division, complimented the witness who came forward to report McFadden.

“Witnessing suspicious behavior and alerting an adult is commendable,” Barnum said. “Those who notified police of something that appeared to be out of the norm and inappropriate were brave and did the right thing. With their help, we were able to stop a very dangerous situation. Protecting children in our community is one of our highest priorities at the Nampa Police Department. It does not matter what position the suspect holds; we are going to be relentless in seeking them out, investigating the allegations and holding them responsible.”

On Friday morning, the Idaho Press reached out to the Vallivue School District seeking comment. The district replied Friday afternoon.

“The Vallivue School District is aware of the arrest of a former teacher, as announced by the Nampa Police Department,” the statement read. “The individual is not currently employed by the Vallivue School District. Their teaching contract was not renewed for the upcoming school year.”

The district, in its statement, referred to its own policy and Idaho Code 33-130 and 33-512(15), which states “all district employees undergo required criminal history and background checks as part of the employment process.”

The district championed the steps the witness took to stop further interactions.

“The district is grateful that concerns were reported to law enforcement, allowing authorities to investigate the matter and helping support the safety and well-being of children in our community,” the statement reads. “The safety and well-being of students remain the district’s highest priority. Vallivue School District remains committed to maintaining safe learning environments for all students and staff.”

The district stated it will “cooperate with authorities if requested,” since this remains an active law enforcement investigation.

“At this time, this is all the information the district is able to share,” the district stated. “Because this is an active law enforcement matter and a personnel matter involving a former employee, the district will not provide additional comment at this time.”