SALEM – Two Salem-area teachers and one from West Linn were arrested last weekend for allegedly having sex in a public park, authorities said.

PCSO mug shots

From left to right: John Backus, Harry Nelson and Ronald Bridge.

The men were identified as Harry Nelson, 57, a teacher at Parrish Middle School in Salem; Ronald Bridge, 53, an elementary school teacher at Sunset Primary School in West Linn and John Backus, a professor at Western Oregon University.

They and five other men -- some of them registered sex offenders -- were arrested during a two-day sting operation at Holman Wayside Park, said Polk County Sheriff Robert Wolfe.

"This is a result of mostly public indecency and deviant sexual acts" which happened in broad daylight on park trails, Wolfe said.

The sting took place Saturday and Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“Apparently, this has become become quite a problem and we’re working to put a stop to it," the sheriff said.

The park is located about two miles west of downtown Salem. It has a reputation as a place for illegal sexual activity as well as drug use, according to Wolfe.

Nelson is on administrative leave and Bridge announced Wednesday that he is retiring.

Backus will continue teaching for now.