A former substitute teacher in the Guilford County Public Schools district has been arrested for multiple sex crimes and drug-related charges.

RICHARD GENE MARTIN

Richard Gene Martin, 73,  is being charged with indecent liberties with children by a school official, indecent liberties with children, statutory rape/sex offense of a person 13-15 years of age by defendant 6 years older, and contributing to the delinquency and neglect by parents/other.

The sex crimes charges are all felonies.  The most serious charge, statutory rape, is a Class B1 felony that carries a sentence of 144 months to life without parole.

Martin is also facing drug-related charges including felony possession of marijuana, maintain dwelling/vehicle for a controlled substance, possession of a schedule I controlled substance, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Law enforcement officials took him into custody on May 10 and a $500,000 bond was issued to Martin, however, Greensboro Detention Center records show he is still in custody.  His next court date is June 14.

On May 20, Martin received additional charges including one count of first-degree rape and two additional counts of indecent liberties.

“We are deeply troubled by this news and the horrific breach of trust, and we are providing all necessary resources to support the law enforcement investigation,” Guilford County Schools chief of staff Dr. Rebecca Kay said in a statement. “We encourage anyone with additional information to come forward. As always, our counseling staff are available to students who desire support.”

There is no teaching license on file for the state for Martin.

It is yet unclear what schools he worked at and the district has yet to provide that information.

Warrants show that two victims between the ages of 13 and 18 are currently involved. Law enforcement involved in the case indicated that Martin has been committing sex crimes against children “for years” and expects additional victims to come forward and more charges to be filed.

FOX 8 News reported on parents in the area questioning how the school district screens its employees and more about background checks:

Guilford County schools indicated substitute teachers are subject to the same background checks as the district’s part-time and full-time employees. All background checks are run by an outside vendor, according to the district.

News of Martin’s arrest came on the same day FOX News dropped a report showing 135 educator arrests nationwide in the last year.

Given that there were around 24 education employee arrests in 2021 and there have been at least 17 such arrests in North Carolina alone just in 2022, FOX News’ count of arrests is likely off by quite a bit.