A volunteer group leader at a church in Victorville was arrested for allegedly having a year-long sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male, authorities announced Friday.

Deputies began investigating Joseph Kealoha, 26, after the victim’s father called the Victorville Sheriff’s Station Monday to report that his son was engaging in sexual intercourse with the man, a news release from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department stated.

Kealoha met the teen at High Desert Church, where he mentored and assisted adolescents in small study groups, according to the release.

The victim attended the church and first encountered Kealoha during a youth beach trip in August 2013.

Shortly after, the two allegedly began dating and engaging in sex acts, the release stated. Authorities said there relationship came to an end in September 2014.

Kealoha also worked as an instructional aide at Morgan Kincaid Preparatory School, and served as a program leader in the “Think Together” program at Bradach Elementary School. In the wake of his arrest, he was relieved of his duties at the church and both schools, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Kealoha was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Central Detection Center on charges of sex with a minor, the release said.

He was being held on $500,000 bail.

His next court appearance was set for Dec. 29 in Victorville Superior Court.

Anyone with information about the incident, or any juvenile that had isolated contact with Kealoha, was asked to call Detective David Clifford of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Crimes against Children Detail at 909-387-3615.

Those wishing to remain anonymous were encouraged to call 1-800-782-7463 or go to www.wetip.com.