Female teacher accused of driving student to cemetery for steamy sex sessions

A teacher could face a hefty prison sentence after being accused of having an affair with one of her students.

Authorities in Nebraska, US, say Cali Heikes, 25, was arrested after she was accused of frequently picking up a 17-year-old student from his home and taking him to a cemetery where they had sex.

According to court records, the arrest was made after Wayne County Sheriff Jason Dwinell's office received a call on 20 January from a Department of Health and Human Services hotline reporting that a teacher was allegedly having sexual contact with a student.

The same deputy reported that on 12 January, just over a week earlier, he had conducted a traffic stop after spotting two vehicles leaving near Winside Cemetery.

The officer reportedly stopped one of the vehicles, which was being driven by the student.

When questioned about his whereabouts, the boy allegedly claimed that he had gone to the cemetery with "his friend Cali".

A black Chevrolet SUV registered to Cali Heikes was the other car the deputy apparently saw leaving the scene.

Police later went to the student's sister, who told them that Heikes used to sneak into the student's house at night to have steamy romps. She also said she thought the meetings, which took place two or three times a week, took place outside the house.

She apparently produced a number of texts to support her allegations.

The alleged victim reportedly asked other family members "how they would feel about him dating a 25-year-old", according to other family members.

Now that they have a search warrant, detectives intend to seize Heike's mobile phone and other electronic devices in order to conduct further investigations.

The age of consent in Nebraska is 16, but because of the power a teacher has over a student, sex between a teacher and a student is always illegal and treated as a Class IIA felony.

Heikes could spend up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

A day after being arrested, Heikes posted a $2,000 bond in lieu of bail.