SEATTLE -- A former Bellevue teacher pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he had sex with one of his students.

Police said Deene Juncker carried on a relationship with a 16-year-old student.

They said the girl's mother became suspicious when she found inappropriate text messages between the two.

Juncker quit his job last month at Forest Ridge School after the accusations came to light.

If convicted of the charges, he could face up to four years in prison.