(KAIR)--A longtime Atchison educator is behind bars, arrested Friday afternoon on charges related to alleged sex crimes involving a child. 

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says 39-year-old Robert Bulk, of Atchison, was apprehended following a short investigation. “This arrest is the result of an investigation that focused on unlawful activity involving a child under the age of 16, between March and June,” Wilson tells MSC News. “It came to our attention this week, has been under investigation in recent days.”

Wilson says Bulk was taken into custody on charges including electronic solicitation of a child and sexual exploitation of a child. Additionally, he faces charges for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. 

According to the USD 409 website, Bulk has been teaching at the Atchison Public Schools for 17 years, most recently teaching computers and technology at the Atchison Middle School for grades 6th through 8th. 
There's no immediate word on whether or not the child was a local student. 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susan Myers released a statement to MSC News Friday evening, following the filing of formal charges, saying, "I am concerned and saddened regarding the arrest of Rob Bulk. Even though school is not in session for students and teachers, we have immediately followed our policies and procedures and placed Mr. Bulk on administrative leave pending the resolution of the case and further board action."

Bulk, at the time of his arrest, was serving as the Co-Chair of the Atchison County Democratic Party, leading the Kansas Democratic Party on Sunday to issue a statement regarding his fate in that role. "The Kansas Democratic Party has asked Mr. Bulk to immediately resign as Co-Chair of the Atchison County Democratic Party, turning over all of his responsibilities to his Co- Chair until this matter is resolved in court."

Following his apprehension, Wilson says Bulk was booked into the Atchison County Jail.