IRVINE – An Irvine middle school teacher accused of having a sexually charged conversation with someone he thought was an underage teenager was behind bars Monday.

Eric Reid Zuercher, 44, of Irvine, was arrested and booked on suspicion of attempting to meet a minor for the purpose of sexual activity, according to the Irvine Police Department.

A group that works to expose sex offenders online called police claiming Zuercher had been in contact with an adult posing as a 14-year-old boy on Sunday evening, police said. Zürcher allegedly asked the fictitious boy if he wanted to meet him, the police said.

The group confronted Zuercher at his home before calling police. Police later obtained an arrest warrant and arrested Zuercher at his home, police said.

Zuercher, who teaches at Sierra Vista Middle School, was placed on leave.

He was not permitted to contact students in the Irvine Unified School District, the district said in a statement.

Irvine police have “informed us that there is currently no indication that IUSD students are involved,” the district said.

Anyone who may have relevant information for investigators was asked to call Detective Brian Felling at 949-724-7189 or email him at [email protected].