A Gaston County Public School teaching assistant was arrested after allegedly being caught performing a sex act on a former student in her home.

Kelvin Deandre Howell

Kelvin Deandre Howell, age 26, of Gastonia was arrested on Sept. 19 by Lowell police on one felony count of taking indecent liberties with a student.

Howell was remanded to Gaston County Jail but was later released on Sept. 20 after posting a $50,000 secured bond.

Police say the alleged incident occurred Aug. 29 and involved the brother of the victim returning home to find Howell allegedly performing oral sex on their 17-year-old sister.

Howell was hired by Gaston County Public Schools in October 2018 as a teacher assistant at Ashbrook High School.

When the Ashbrook assignment ended, Howell was hired to be a teacher assistant at H.H. Beam Elementary School, a position which he apparently resigned on Sept. 4.

According to media reports, Howell’s iPhone 8 smartphone and phone case were seized by police.  According to warrant information, Howell was asked in an interview if they could look through his phone and Howell said no, “that it will get some people in trouble.”

It is unknown at this time if the district performed a background check on Howell.