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<p>Visalia police are investigating an Exeter teacher for the alleged sexual assault of a student. Police arrested 36-year-old Matthew Varpness Friday. Varpness is a teacher at Exeter High and Wilson Middle School. </p><p>Visalia police are handling the investigation because they allege Varpness sexually assaulted a student in his Visalia home where they served a search warrant.</p><p>"Our detectives got involved from our violent crimes unit and found that the crime did in fact occur in April of 2014 with the teacher and one female student," said Damon Maurice, public information officer with the Visalia Police Department.</p><p>Police arrested Varpness Friday morning as he arrived for work at Exeter High.</p><p>Detectives said the investigation now involves two students.</p><p>"Our detectives found a second female victim from the school who also stated this teacher was also sending the sexually explicit photographs to her as well," Maurice said.</p><p>Varpness faces a felony charge of child molestation and two counts of sending sexually explicit messages to minors.</p><p>The Exeter superintendent’s office wouldn’t comment on camera, but Superintendent Tim Hire said Varpness has been with the district for five years.</p><p>At Exeter High, he taught English and computer science.</p><p>"He just was weird and wasn’t ever normal," said Exeter High student Madalyn Hughes. "Like most teachers were quiet, but he was always near his students and wanted to be in thier business."</p><p>Varpness also taught drama at Wilson Middle School in Exeter. Exeter resident Mario Hinojosa’s son attends that school.</p><p>"You just think your school gots everything together. We’re just surprised. It’s just mainly we’re shocked," Hinojosa said.</p><p>Visalia police are investigating the nature of the relationship of the alleged victims with the teacher. They’re also investigating whether there are other alleged victims–prompting parents to be on alert.</p><p>"I was telling my wife, that’s just somebody who just got caught. So who knows about the other schools," Hinojosa said.</p><p>Police urge anyone with information to come forward.</p><p>The superintendent’s office would not comment on the status of Varpness’ job with the district. Hire said Varpness wouldn’t be around students during the investigation.<br /></p></div>
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