Thomasville teacher arrested for sex abuse of student www.privateofficer.com

THOMASVILLE, N.C. Jan 26 2010– A teacher at Thomasville High School has been arrested and charged with having a sexual relationship with one of his students.

Edward Heath Williamson, 33, of 10 Johnia Court, is facing two counts of a sexual act between a teacher and a student for an alleged relationship with a 17-year-old female. Williamson, THS’ Instructional Technological Facilitator, is accused of having sexual intercourse with the female, who is one of his students, on two separate occasions while on school grounds. Williamson has been suspended with pay until an investigation is completed.

“We were told about some improprieties and we investigated and found there was some truth to it,” THS Principal Deboy Beamon said. “He broke a sacred code and you just don’t do that.”

According to Det. Jeff McCrary, Thomasville Police Department received notification by the THS school resource officer last Wednesday that a teacher was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a female student. An investigation alleges that Williamson and the female had two separate sexual encounters on Dec. 16 and Jan. 15. Since the female student is at least 16 years old, no statutory charges have been filed.

“This is a class G felony,” said McCrary. “This crime was put in place specifically for teacher-student relationships. Age has nothing to do with it. Teachers are not allowed to have sexual relationships with students they’re teaching.”

Williamson turned himself into TPD on Friday and was issued a $10,000 unsecured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Thomasville District Court on Feb. 12.

“There have been accusations about an inappropriate relationship with a student,” Thomasville City Schools Superintendent Keith Tobin said. “It’s under investigation at this point. Concerning the accusation of a student and a teacher, there was immediate action taken to take care of that situation.”

Tobin didn’t want to comment on whether Williamson would be terminated, but did say that “I can assure you that the situation will be handled appropriately and in a timely manner. It is a personnel matter and I can’t comment any more than that.”

Williamson could not be reached for comment by press time Monday.

Now in his second year at THS, Wiliamson also is an assistant coach with the varsity football team. Williamson came to THS from Randolph County and was responsible for helping students develop senior projects.