Ill. math teacher Paul LaDuke charged with masturbating in class

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (CBS) - A Christian school teacher was fired and charged with a felony for allegedly masturbating behind a podium during class.

Police said that math teacher and ordained minister Paul LaDuke, 75, may have been engaging in similar activity for more than a decade, reports CBS station  WBBM.

On Friday, a student at Schaumburg Christian School, where LaDuke has taught for 26 years, told another teacher that she thought LaDuke was masturbating while sitting at his podium during class. The teacher reportedly notified the administration, which launched an investigation. LaDuke was fired Friday, and school officials called police on Monday.

Detectives interviewed several students and arrested LaDuke Monday. He is charged with sexual exploitation of a child.

In court on Wednesday, a prosecutor told the judge that the state has a handwritten note from LaDuke in which he admits that he has fantasized about female students while masturbating in class for the past 10 years.

Bond for LaDuke was set at $40,000 at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse Wednesday morning.

Sgt. John Nebel told WBBM that there is no evidence that LaDuke inappropriately touched any students or harmed them physically.

La Duke is being held on $40,000 bond and, if he makes bond, he will not be allowed on school grounds.

A defense attorney told WBBM that LaDuke may have dementia.