A piano teacher in Pennsylvania has been arrested for sexually abusing his students, Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said Friday.

The teacher, 49-year-old Timothy Shay, is accused of sexually abusing underage students over a period of multiple years, victimizing students as young as 5 years old, according to an affidavit of probable cause in the case.

Shay is charged with four counts of indecent assault and four counts of corruption of minors, Schorn said in a news conference Friday with Middletown Township and Newtown Township police.  

The document mentions at least four victims who described similar patterns of abuse – in the form of inappropriate massages Shay characterized as warmup exercises – that occurred when Shay came to the victims' homes in Middletown and Newtown townships for scheduled private lessons. Abuse also took place during lessons at a studio in Doylestown.

The alleged offenses described in the charging document occurred between about 1997 and 2004 when the victims, all male, were all under the age of 13.

"We will not abide by sex offenders using our children for their own deviant sexual gratification," said Schorn. "It's the work of the men and women behind me that provide that assurance that we will seek out every predator and hold them accountable."

"This individual was a wolf in sheep's clothing, using his talents as a piano instructor to access children for his deviant gratification," Schorn said.

The investigation began when someone mandated to report sexual abuse heard about it from a victim who is now an adult, according to Schorn.

"This case serves as a reminder that justice has no expiration date. We remain committed to seeking accountability for those who prey on the vulnerable," Middletown Township Police Chief Joe Bartorilla said.  

Officials say there is a pattern between the multiple incidents in Middletown and Newtown, and that's why they believe there could be more victims.

"If there are any other victims, no matter how long ago these crimes took place, or where they occurred, we want to hear from you," Bartorilla said. "Your voice matters. You will remain anonymous throughout the process and we will do everything in our power to support you and pursue justice on your behalf."

The allegations date back as far as 26 years and Schorn noted that many survivors of abuse do not realize or come forward until adulthood — the state's statute of limitations extends until the survivor's 50th birthday for that reason. Shay continued teaching piano and was recently using Facebook to advertise lessons, Schorn said.

Shay, who has listed addresses in Doylestown and Plumstead Township, is in the Bucks County Correctional Facility after he could not post 10% of bail, set at $1 million.