ALBANY — Mark Leichty, a sixth-grade science teacher at North Albany Middle School, was arrested Wednesday on sex-abuse charges.

Leichty, 43, of Albany, is accused of first-degree sexual abuse, and according to a news release from the Greater Albany Public School District, the allegations involve physical contact with female students.

The school district received a complaint about Leichty in February, and they reported it to the state Department of Human Services. DHS in turn contacted the Albany Police Department, which investigated.

Leichty was removed from his teaching duties and placed on paid administrative leave. He was indicted by a Benton County grand jury on eight counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

Leichty has been with the school district for 17 years. He taught at Waverly Elementary School before beginning to teach at North Albany Middle School in 1993.

District officials met with school staff Wednesday afternoon, and planned to inform parents and students of the situation.

Leichty was arrested at his home Wednesday and taken to the Linn County jail. He was booked on the charges, then transferred to the Benton County jail.