ALBEMARLE, N.C. -- West Stanly High School teacher and assistant football coach Marko Little has been arrested and charged with taking indecent liberties with a student.

Little is 27. His alleged victim is 15.

Students and parents say it was the worst-kept alleged secret at school and Little’s arrest wasn’t unexpected.

"Our evidence is overwhelming in my opinion," said Stanly County Sheriff Rick Burris.

Burris says evidence includes witnesses and text messages. Burris says Little fondled and kissed the girl four times at school -- all this month.

Student Cody Tucker says the rumor mill swirled.

Burris confirms that is what prompted the school to snoop around and then contact them about Little.

"I started to expect it, really like expecting it to be true when I got to know him a little bit better,” Tucker said.

“So this doesn't really come as a shock?” NewsChannel 36 asked.

“Not really,” he said.

We asked if there were any other times the district checked into Little's behavior. They didn't answer that question, other than saying the principal wants the school board to fire Little.

Burris isn't 100 percent thrilled with the district either.

"I wish we would have been informed a little sooner,” he said. "If the allegations are true, I think it's a sad time for this county and for the school system."

Students say what's appalling about this, other than the alleged crime, is that Little is married with a newborn.

Little is due in court next month.