Two teachers in Edgecombe County were arrested in September. One teacher was arrested in connection with possession of Methamphetamine and a second was arrested on sex crime charges involving a student.

Christina Cuthrell

Christina Hazel Cuthrell, age 31, was arrested on an outstanding warrant in Pitt County for felony obtaining property by false pretense.

Cuthrell was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of more than ½ oz. marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A press release by the Edgecombe County Sheriff delayed due to preparation for Hurricane Dorian said that officers encountered Cuthrell on Sep. 3 around 4:02 pm.

Cuthrell told officers that her boyfriend had taken their infant child and run into the woods. This claim was determined to be false and a search of Cutthrell’s vehicle and person yielded methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

According to the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s office, a $3,500 secured bond was issued to Cuthrell.

Media reports indicate that Cuthrell is currently suspended from her position as a science teacher at Southwest Edgecombe High School pending completion of an investigation into her arrest.

Cuthrell holds an NC Teaching License in the area of 9-12 Science which expired June 30 of this year.

Edgecombe schools was asked by this website about whether a background check was performed on Cuthrell when she was hired, if a background check had recently been repeated or if any background check on her involved fingerprinting.

“Edgecombe County Public Schools conducts background checks on all of its employees as a part of its pre-employment requirements. The safety of our students and staff remain a top priority. As this is a personnel matter, further information can not be released at this time,” Edgecombe County Schools Communications Director Susan Hoke responded in an email.

James Robert Vick

James Robert Vick, age 41, was arrested on two counts of sex act with a student and two counts of indecent liberties with a student. According to law enforcement, the victim was 16 years old.

The arrest came after North East Carolina Prep School, located in Tarboro, contacted police with a report of inappropriate behavior between a staffer and the student. That staffer was James Vick an assistant teacher in the Exceptional Children’s program.

Vick was remanded to the Edgecombe County Detention Center under an $800,000 bond.
In another interview, Tarboro Police Chief Jesse Webb said the victim is 16 years old.

The school has yet to release a statement and  Vick’s employment status is not yet known.

Vick does not hold a teachers license with the state of North Carolina. It is also unclear if a background check was performed on Vick.