MOSCOW - A former Highland High School teacher has been arrested on child sex abuse charges.

Idaho State Police issued a news release Tuesday saying that last Thursday, Region Two Detective Lyle Bolon began an investigation into allegations that 38-year-old Timothy Andrew Kellis had unlawful sexual contact with minors under the age of 16.

ISP says the subsequent investigation revealed that during the summer of 2007, as a “continuous course of conduct”, while a counselor at Camp Grizzly in Latah County, Kellis allegedly fondled and engaged in lewd and lascivious contact with two minors under the age of 16.

This past Saturday ISP detectives arrested Kellis in Moscow without incident. Idaho State Police Patrol transported Kellis to the Latah County Jail where he was charged with three felonies; one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child, and two counts of Lewd Conduct with a Minor Under 16 years of Age.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said Tuesday that Kellis posted a $25,000 bond Tuesday morning and was released from jail. He had his initial appearance Monday and is scheduled to be back in court next Thursday for a preliminary hearing.

ISP said Kellis had worked as a teacher with Highland High School in Craigmont from 2001 to 2006, and investigators said Kellis worked at Camp Grizzly in Latah County during the summer of 2007, and may have worked as a counselor during prior years.

ISP said Kellis is currently a teacher in Tumwater, Washington, where he has worked since 2006.

If anyone has any additional information concerning Kellis or any of his activities, they are asked to contact Idaho State Police Detective Bolon at (208) 799-5020.