A Rowan County teacher has been arrested and charged in connection with sending sexual messages to a student via social media apps.

Ethan Andrew Grose

Ethan Andrew Grose, age 29, was arrested and charged with taking indecent liberties with a minor by the Rowan County Sheriff’s office.

Grose was arrested on Dec. 23rd and the charge is a Class I felony, carrying a sentence of 3-12 months in prison.

Grose was remanded to the Rowan County Detention Center under a $25,000 secured bond. The inmate locator for the Rowan Detention Center does not list Grose as an active inmate, indicating he made bail and was released.

Grose had been exchanging sexual images with a West Rowan middle school student over social media apps. The apps used have not yet named.

According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Grose has “confessed to having the inappropriate conversations with the student, and exchanging pornographic images.”

The inappropriate activity began in early December and was ongoing until the student’s family became aware and contacted law enforcement. The case is still active, according to law enforcement.

Grose holds a valid NC teaching license in the areas of Language Arts 6-9 and Science 6-9. That license will remain active until Jun. 30, 2022 unless revoked.

The Rowan-Salisbury Public School District has been contacted but has not yet responded to the request for comment due to the arrest taking place right before Christmas.

Grose is the 65th teacher or education-related employee arrest tracked by this website during 2019.