NY Cheerleader coach Christina Jewell-Belluccio faces felony rape charge

A cheerleader coach and teacher's aide at a Greece, New York high school has been charged with felony third-degree rape after being accused of having sex with a 16-year-old male student.

Christina Jewell-Belluccio, 32, from Greece Olympia High School will face the allegations in court after allegedly having sex with the minor in both her home and a second location several times during June 2014.

She was also brought up on a second charge of felony third-degree criminal sex act on Tuesday.

Jewell-Belluccio, awarded Class A Coach of the Year in 2014, was hired by the school two years ago and also began working as a senior teacher's aide last year, according to the Democrat and Chronicle.

School district officials were informed of the allegations through rumors on Monday which led to an inteal investigation.

They then alerted police, said Laurel Heiden, a spokeswoman for the district.

Cheerleaders from Jewell-Belluccio's squad are rallying behind her with many showing their support on social media.

One student wrote: 'Regardless of everything my coach was the best person I've met, and this won't shake my image of her. We love you JB. OHS always and forever.'

Another student wrote that she felt bad for the cheerleaders and said that Jewell-Belluccio brought the cheer program back on its feet.

Her tweet said: 'I just feel so bad for the cheerleaders. They must feel awful right now. She brought the cheer program back on its feet...it's just so sad.'

Following the incident, Jewell-Belluccio resigned from her position at the school and was released on bail.

She will face the charges at Greece Town Court on March 11.