SANTEE, Calif. -- A 41-year-old East County high school teacher was arrested Friday on suspicion of having sex with a 17-year-old female student, authorities reported.

John Holler, an English instructor at West Hills High in Santee, was taken into custody at his home early this afternoon, sheriff's Lt. Phil Brust said.

Holler had been placed on leave from his position at the Mast Boulevard school after the allegations came to light earlier this week.

Officials declined to release further information about the case prior to a mid-afternoon briefing at sheriff's headquarters in Kearny Mesa.