A former Huntersville private school teacher has been charged with sex crimes involving a student.

TYLER DEAN MELTON

Tyler Dean Melton, 26, was charged with sexual activity with a student and indecent liberties with a student on Dec. 15 after turning himself in to authorities at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center.

A new law this year that went into effect Dec.1 raises the penalty for education employees and teachers charged with those crimes.

Session Law 2023-128 raises the penalties for taking indecent liberties with a student or for sexual activity with a student from a Class I (3-12 months in prison) to a Class G felony (8-31 months in prison).

Melton, a former SouthLake Christian Academy teacher, was issued a $10,000 secured bond which he posted and was released.

SouthLake Christian Academy is a private school in Huntersville, which is north of Charlotte in the Lake Norman area.

Per a statement by the Head of School Dr. Matthew Kerlin, Melton was hired in August 2021. He resigned on April 29, 2023.

On April 28, 2023, he had been placed on leave while the school investigated accusations of inappropriate contact with a student while off campus.

School officials received some information near the end of July that inappropriate conduct involving Melton had occurred and the following month, on Aug. 2, the Cornelius Police Department began an investigation.

News outlet WNCN had previously reported that according to a search warrant, “the Huntersville Police Department “did not investigate” a potential crime when someone first reported concerns more than six months ago.”

Excerpt from the WNCN report:

“The Huntersville Police Department was made aware of the possibility of an inappropriate relationship on 05/03/2023 but did not investigate the matter …” Detective John Lineberger wrote. “The caller explained to the Huntersville Police that the school was made aware of the situation and (the teacher) immediately resigned his position as a teacher at SLCA according to the caller. No further investigation was conducted by Huntersville Police Department at that time.”

WNCN also reported that the Cornelius Police Department had trouble getting cellphone information from the Huntersville Police.

Kerlin issued a lengthy statement to SouthLake families on Dec. 16:

We know how much our students and families value close-knit relationships with our faculty and staff. Such mutually respectful relationships are a hallmark of our community. These relationships, however, must remain within healthy and appropriate boundaries. In this spirit, I want to share an update about former high school teacher Tyler Melton.

Mr. Melton resigned his position at SouthLake on April 29, 2023, less than 24 hours after the school placed him on leave and launched an investigation into reports he met off campus with a high school student. In coordination with local and state law enforcement authorities, our investigation continued over the summer. In late July, we received specific information suggesting that an inappropriate relationship had occurred. We immediately turned over all relevant details to the Cornelius Police Department, the alleged conduct having occurred in their jurisdiction, and we continue to cooperate fully with their investigation. Yesterday, the Cornelius Police Department obtained a warrant for Mr. Melton for Felony Sexual Acts with a Student and Indecent Liberties with a Student. Mr. Melton turned himself into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Jail.

Obviously, we are deeply disappointed by these events. We take with utmost seriousness the well-being of our students. All employees go through an extensive vetting process and comprehensive background check. We train our teachers on appropriate boundaries with students and expect them to uphold those standards on and off campus. We will continue to operate with the highest standards of integrity as a school. You can help us by providing any relevant information to me or a member of our staff, and by avoiding gossip that can be disruptive to our students and our educational environment.

If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me, and I will help in every way possible. In the days ahead, please pray for those involved in this case.

There is no teaching license on file with the state for Melton.