An Art teacher in Johnston County has been arrested for shoplifting, a second Johnston County teacher faces charges after it was learned he lied on his application about being a felon and a Lincoln County principal resigns in wake of nude photos of boys on his bed surface.

Janine Frantz – Image via Johnston County Schools Clayton High website.

Joanna Frantz, age 59, is charged with misdemeanor larceny after walking out of a Clayton Walmart with unpaid merchandise totaling $224.16 that was concealed in her shopping cart by a raincoat. Frantz was arrested by Clayton police on June 22 and later released.

Johnston County School officials indicated that Frantz is an art teacher at Clayton High School who started teaching at the school in August 2013.  According to the school’s website, Frantz is listed not as Joanna but as “Janine.”

The website also says she has a degree in “BFA in Communications Graphic Design” and a “Fine Arts Teacher Certification.” Frantz’s North Carolina teacher license, which expires in 2021, simply says she is licensed in the area of “Art k-12.”

Torians Adaryll Hughes – image via JCSO

Torians Adaryll Hughes, age 40, is charged with two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense after an 8-month long investigation revealed he had lied about his education history and criminal record when applying to teach in North Carolina.

Police arrested Hughes on June 20th. A judge gave him a $15,000 bond with a future court date of July 18.

According to the warrants, Hughes claimed to be a graduate of Lafayette College. Records show he attended but did not receive a degree. He also lied about his criminal history, claiming he had never received anything beyond a traffic ticket.

According to court records, Hughs’ past criminal conviction happened in Virginia.
An inquiry to the prison officials in Warsaw, Virginia was made regarding two federal felony convictions and prison terms that took place in 2000, but no response was received by publication time.

Hughes also holds an active NC teaching license (License Number: 1220305) in the area of Social Studies 9-12 which was activated on March 3, 2018.

Johnston County Public Schools issued the following statement about Hughes and the background checks the district claims to employ:

“The school system takes very seriously the application process for individuals interested in employment. As such, all candidates must complete an online, statewide application to apply for positions available within Johnston County Public Schools. Once recommended, the district employs an outside vendor to perform background checks. The school system works with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for licensure purposes. Candidates provide reference information through the application process. Human Resources reviews submitted electronic reference forms and also conducts phone interviews to verify work experience and performance.”

Hughes was originally hired by Johnston County Public schools as a substitute teacher in 2017  and was also the football coach at Cleveland High School. In March of 2018, the same month Hughes received his NC teaching license, he became a full-time teacher.

According to Crystal Roberts, a Johnston County Public Schools spokesperson,  Hughes resigned from his position in October 2018 after school officials found out he had faked his transcripts, resume and lied about his background information.

Tony Worley – Image via Lincoln County Public Schools

Lincolnton High School Principal Tony Worley, age 56, faces pending charges of child pornography and incident liberties with a student pending the conclusion of investigations being conducted by the local sheriff’s office and the state bureau of investigations.

Police searched Worley’s home, electronic devices, and his car. Warrants show multiple social media conversations using apps like SnapChat, Instagram and Grindr, between Worley and the student he’s accused of having sexual activity with.

According to the warrants, the student claims Principal Worley sent him nude photos of at least six young males and law enforcement say those photos were taken on Worley’s own home and on his bed.

Worley, who was originally hired in 2002 as an assistant principal, voluntarily resigned on Monday, June 24 after he being suspended by Lincoln County Public Schools over the weekend.

Worley is the second Lincoln County principal in the news in June. Earlier this month, the district put North Lincoln High School Principal Mitch Sherrill on paid administrative leave and would not say why.

Worley surrendered his license to be a teacher or school administrator to the North Carolina State Board of Education. Worley’s license, number 944055, is still listed on the state’s licensure lookup tool as active as of June 26th.

“The Superintendent and Board of Education take student safety very seriously and Lincoln County School officials work closely with law enforcement to investigate allegations of misconduct involving students,” said the press release from Lincoln County Public Schools.

According to the press release, the district’s superintendent will “move forward with hiring a new principal for Lincolnton High School.””

The release didn’t give any detailed information about the investigation and cited state personnel laws as the reason.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the Lincolnton Police Department at 704-736-8900 or Heath Belcher in LCS Human Resources at 704-732-2261.

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