A Cleveland County Public Schools teacher was arrested on multiple sexual exploitation charges involving minor children. None of the images or videos were of students at the school in question where the teacher worked.

ANTHONY MARQUI NEAL

Name: Anthony Marqui Neal
Age: 36
Charge(s): First Degree Sex Exploitation of a Minor (Class C Felony), Second Degree Sex Exploitation of a Minor (Class E Felony), Third Degree Sex Exploitation of a Minor (Class H Felony)
Charge Type(s): (View Sentencing Chart)
Arrest Date: Feb. 14
Bond Details: $150,000 secured; posted and released.

Victim /Case Details:

[Via the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office]

The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Anthony Marqui Neal for sexual exploitation of a minor. The investigation began when a concerned citizen notified the Sheriff’s Office of someone, they had chatted with on a dating site that had revealed some disturbing information about children.
The case was then assigned to our Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigators. Once it was discovered that he was a teacher at a local elementary school we notified the administration of the school and arranged to interview him. This interview led to a search warrant being issued for Mr. Neal’s residence, leading to several electronic devices being seized.
Mr. Neal was suspended by school administrators that day and has worked in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office as the incident is being fully investigated.
During examination of the digital devices that were seized, images and a video was discovered of minor children involved in sex acts. These images and video were not of anyone local or children from the Cleveland County School System. This investigation is ongoing and could result in more charges as evidence is still being completely processed.
Mr. Neal was released after posting a $150,000.00 bond.
Suspect:
Anthony Marqui Neal (11/01/1987)
702 Mount Sinai Church Road
Shelby, NC 28150
Charges:
First Degree Sex Exploitation of a Minor
Second Degree Sex Exploitation of a Minor
Third Degree Sex Exploitation of a Minor

District: Cleveland County Public Schools
Current Role: Washington Elementary teacher
History: Hired Aug. 8, 2023
Employment status: Suspended by District Feb. 9.
Resigned Feb. 9. Resignation did not follow the required statutory 30-day notice.

Statement from District: No official statement yet by district.

NC Teacher License Information:

License Number: 1283920
Name: Neal, Anthony
License Type: Educator
License Status: Current
Expiration Date: 06/30/2024
Effective Date: 08/08/2023
License Area(s): Health and Physical Education

Updates:
License has been summarily suspended as of 2/28/24.