Investigators say it was 69-year-old Jay Vanwagoner's position as a respected educator and religious leader that made it easy for him to manipulate some of the young boys that he taught.

The Vernal man, who has been an educator for 30 years, 15 of them in the Uintah School District, was arrested in Orem last week on one charge of first degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child and a second degree count of forcible sexual abuse.The charges involve a single victim, said Vernal police detective Bob Taylor. The Vernal incidents allegedly occurred between Sept. 1, 1994, and Nov. 30, 1994, and on July 23, 1996, according to documents. They involved a 12-year-old boy who was in Vanwagoner's Vernal Middle School class. Most of the sex acts took place at Vanwagoner's home, according to police.

Vanwagoner retired at the end of the 1997-98 school year, according to a spokeswoman at the school district. Vanwagoner began his career with the district teaching at West Junior High. He was later transferred to the middle school.

The alleged activities came to light when the victim's mother saw her son having problems. She obtained counseling for the boy, and the story tumbled out, Taylor reported.

Uintah County Deputy Attorney Ken Wallentine said, "dozens and dozens of computer discs and several dozen written journals" were seized in a search of Taylor's home. Investigators are reviewing the writings. Wallentine said so far it appears that none of it contains "visual pornography."

Vanwagoner remains free on bond, pending further court proceedings.