A former Orchard Mesa Middle School teacher's assistant is behind bars tonight.

Grand Junction Police say Nefi Madrigal, 21, sent pornographic images of himself to a student.

The Grand Junction Police Department says Madrigal is accused of two felony counts: sexual assault on a child, and internet sexual exploitation of a child.

According to the arrest affidavit, Madrigal is accused of sending multiple nude photos of himself to a 14–year–old female student's cell phone.

The arrest affidavit says Madrigal took the student to a movie and tried to hold her hand and put his arm around her.

District 51 says Madrigal worked fulltime at Orchard Mesa Middle School as a "LEAG Liaison": a program that works as an intervention for Latino students.

Madrigal was placed on administrative leave in early April when this all came to light.

He resigned nearly a month later.

When questioned by police, Madrigal said he didn't remember taking any of the pictures. But, he then said: if the officer said he took those pictures, then he must have.

Grand Junction Police seized both Madrigal and the student’s cell phone.

They say they didn't find any pornographic images on the phones, but phone records show more than 2,500 test messages between Madrigal and the student.

Madrigal made his first court appearance today.

A judge set bond at 75,000 dollars.

We will have more on this story tonight at ten.