RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A Johnston County Public Schools teacher made his first appearance in court Friday.

Geoffrey Craig Hightower, 36, faces 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He was arrested by Garner police after they executed a search warrant at his apartment Thursday.

Smithfield-Selma High School teacher Geoffrey Craig Hightower appears in court after being charged with 10 felony counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Johnston County Public Schools leaders said Hightower is a teacher at Smithfield-Selma High School. Employees released a statement Friday afternoon saying JCPS had immediately suspended Hightower, just days before students are set to return to school.

An arrest warrant stated that the offense occurred on Dec. 30 of last year. Each charge said that Hightower “unlawfully, intentionally and criminally duplicated material containing a visual representation of a minor, unknown, approximately 6-9 years of age, engaged in sexual activity.” Each image was listed under the file name “NEW 2016 Pedo Childlover 8yo Daddy’s Little Girl Pics.”

During Hightower’s court appearance, Wake County District Court Judge Rashad Hauter listed each of the 10 charges, adding: “Those are Class E felonies with the aggravated sex offense. You (Hightower) face a maximum sentence of 136 months for each of those charges.”

Wake County District Court Judge Rashad Hauter speaks during the hearing for Geoffrey Craig Hightower, a Smithfield-Selma High School teacher who is accused of 10 felonies, including second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Hauter said Hightower is being held on $500,000 bond and is not allowed to have contact with any alleged victims or anyone under 18.

Before proceeding, Hightower asked the judge for an attorney. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 12.

Garner police said they were working closely with the State Bureau of Investigations and Homeland Security Investigations. Officers said Hightower could face additional charges as the investigation remains ongoing.