WASHINGTON (AP) — An Washington elementary school teacher has admitted to sending a lewd Facebook message to a 12-year-old who was the sister of one of his students.

The Washington Post reports Jurelle Turner pleaded guilty Friday in D.C. Superior Court to “certain obscene activities and conduct.” School system officials say they have begun efforts to fire him.

Turner has worked for the school system since 1994 and was teaching first grade at Brookland Education Campus at Bunker Hill. He was placed on paid leave after police launched an investigation in April.

Court documents say the victim was a Brookland student and the older sister of one of Turner’s students.

Turner is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 9. He faces a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

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