Effingham County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested an Effingham County teacher, who was recently named teacher of the year at his school, on several charges related to alleged child molestation.

Julian Sheppard Heyman, 52, of Springfield, was taken into custody Monday at his residence in Springfield. Heyman is a sixth grade earth sciences teacher at Ebenezer Middle School.

He also was named the teacher of the year at Ebenezer Middle this year.

Heyman is also the president of the Georgia Salzburger Society.

Two victims reported to investigators that they were molested from as far back as 1997 and 1998. Both victims were under 10 years of age at the time the crimes took place. These incidents are currently being investigated. Neither one of these victims were Heyman’s students at the time.

“We’re just learning of this,” Meredith Arnsdorff, Effingham County School System assistant superintendent in charge of administrative services.

Arnsdorff also said the Board of Education is waiting to gather more information on the allegations.

“His future employment status will depend on the investigation,” she said.

Investigators have been pursuing the case for the last two weeks, according to Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie.

Heyman has a B.S. from Augusta State University and a Master’s in middle grades education from Georgia Southern University. He is also a certified gifted and talented teacher.

Heyman also once served as the director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Savannah.

Heyman has been charged with aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, sexual battery and enticing a child for indecent purposes in connection with the crimes committed against one of the victims. Additional charges are pending against Heyman.

McDuffie also said there is no indication that these incidents took place at the school.