BAKERSFIELD -- A Garces High School teacher was arrested Saturday on suspicion of a sex crime with a minor.

Marshall Neal, a 33-year-old history teacher, was arrested Saturday at his northeast Bakersfield apartment amid accusations by a Garces student that Neal orally copulated with the student.

The location where the alleged sex act occurred has not been released, though police said the location of the alleged crime is not at Garces High School.

Neal has been at Garces for 10 years where he teaches social studies and coaches the Garces high forensics team.

"Obviously, our number one concern is for the safety and well being of our students and families, and all involved," John Fanucchi, president of Garces High School, said in a statement.

Garces student John Severs who is on the speech and debate teams at the school said, "I didn't think he'd be the type of guy to do something like this. I think that it’s possible that it’s true and its possible that it’s false."

In addition to teaching at Garces High School and the Bakersfield Adult School, Neal is currently president and chairman of the Ft. Tejon Historical Association, a group that conducts Civil War re-enactments.

Lester Gilbert is the Civil War program director for the association and has known Neal for six or seven years.

He told ABC23 by phone Monday that he is shocked. He said of the arrest: “The Marshall Neal that I know is not that type.”

Gilbert said Neal is one of the nicest guys in the world. “He's what I call the tow the line type of character. He's a stickler for the rules. If it’s true, it’s out of character,” Gilbert said.

Neal has been booked on $100,000 bail and faces an arraignment hearing Tuesday afternoon. He has been placed on leave pending the case.