FRUITA, Colo. - A Colorado junior high school teacher has been accused of asking female students to send him topless photos.

Randy Majors, 58, was arrested this week on eight felony counts related to sexual exploitation of children in western Colorado, according to court records. He was released Thursday on $20,000 bond.

Police began investigating in November after a mother told police she found a Facebook message from the teacher asking her 16-year-old daughter to send nude pictures without telling anyone.

Shortly afterward, Majors turned over his laptop to Fruita police, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. He also acknowledged asking several girls for pictures, the warrant said.

The affidavit by Fruita Police Officer Lisa Dicamillo identifies eight teenage girls who exchanged messages with Majors, including a 17-year-old who sent a picture of herself wearing a tank top.

Majors' messages included asking some of the girls if they were in "the circle of trust" and whether they could keep a secret.

Dicamillo said in the affidavit that Majors wrote to the 16-year-old girl that he was "dying" to see her breasts. The girl's mother went to the police.

Majors sent one girl multiple requests, asking for "one pic between friends." At first she didn't respond, then told him she was doing homework, according to the affidavit.

The girl later told authorities she didn't say anything about the exchange because she didn't want to get Majors in trouble.

Another 16-year-old girl said she'd send him a picture of her face, and he responded that he wasn't interested in a face picture, Dicamillo wrote.

A 15-year-old girl wrote, "this is inappropriate behaviour. And you need to stop right now."

Majors continued to ask for topless photos days after police took his computer and questioned him about the allegations, the warrant said.

Majors could not be located for comment Friday. Court records did not indicate that he has an attorney. He was arrested Tuesday.

A school district representative said Friday that Majors has been on paid administrative leave since November.

"If these allegations are true, it's grounds for dismissal," District 51 spokeswoman Christy McGee said.

McGee said the district is looking into the case and "not just waiting for the law enforcement investigation."

Majors has been teaching in Mesa County schools since 1994.

He is scheduled to return to court Jan. 10.

News from © The Associated Press, 2014