An Edgecombe County Public Schools teacher has been charged with a statutory sex offense involving a child.

JUSTIN TYLER TYSON

Justin Tyler Tyson, age 29, was arrested on Jan. 31 by Edgecombe County Sheriff’s deputies on Jan. 31 and was charged with three counts of felony statutory sexual offense with a child. Investigators said Tyson is at least six years older than the victim.

Tyson was issued a $100,000 secure bond and left the Edgecombe County Detention Center on Feb. 2, according to state records.

Pitt County Sheriff’s deputies also assisted in the case, per a Facebook post by the Edgecombe sheriff.

“The victim in this case reported to a staff member that she had been sexually assaulted by a teacher on campus,” the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office’s post said.

According to the Facebook post, a call was received on Jan. 19 from Edgecombe County Public Schools indicating sexual assault had taken place at North Edgecombe High School.

The Facebook post went on to say that, “it was determined through the investigation that charges would be taken out on Mr. Tyson for three counts of statutory sex offense with a child 13, 14, 15 years of age and [the] defendant is at least six years older than [the] victim.”

Edgecombe County Public Schools indicated in a statement that Tyson has been suspended, but did not say whether the suspension was with or without pay.

“We are aware that an ECPS employee was arrested and charged yesterday based on allegations of inappropriate behavior and interactions with a student. When the allegations were brought to our attention, we immediately reported them to law enforcement and the employee was suspended pending further investigation,” the Edgecombe County Public Schools statement says. “We take the safety and well-being of our students seriously and are deeply troubled by this news. Student safety is our top priority and we encourage parents and students to make us aware of any situation that concerns them. As always, our counseling staff is available to students who need support.”

Tyson has an active teaching license on file with the state in the area of Social Studies 9-12. That license was issued in July 2020. Unless revoked ahead of time, his license will expire on June 30 of this year.

Tyson is the ninth NC educator so far to be arrested in 2023, per reports tracked by this website.