A Union County Public Schools middle school teacher has been charged with two separate indecent liberties counts linked to a student.

MAX GUNNAR MARTIN

Name: Max Gunnar Martin
Age: 26
Charge(s): 1 count of indecent liberties with a child (Class F) and 1 count indecent liberties with a student (Class G)
Charge Type(s): (View Sentencing Chart)
Arrest Date: 5-1-24
Bond Details: Amount unknown; Martin bonded out before 10 pm on 5-1-24.

Victim /Case Details:
[Via Union County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook]

Last month, UCSO deputies and detectives began an investigation into misconduct allegations involving 26-year-old Max Martin, a former Piedmont Middle School teacher. The investigation began after students enrolled at the school reported they had received inappropriate communications/requests from Martin via his social media accounts.

Upon receiving the initial report, detectives conducted interviews with victims and witnesses and also collected vital evidence related to the investigation. Earlier today, Martin was arrested by deputies and processed into the Union County Detention Center. He is currently charged with one count of Indecent Liberties with a Child and one count of Indecent Liberties with a Student and his bond conditions have not yet been set. The investigation is ongoing.

Sheriff Eddie Cathey adds “I commend the victims who came forward during this investigation for their bravery and resilience. The deputies, detectives, and Crime Lab personnel who are actively investigating this case have done excellent work. My office remains committed to ensuring the safety of our local students and staff members and I encourage anyone with additional information about this case to contact our detectives.”

Anyone with information pertaining to this ongoing investigation is asked to call 911, the UCSO Main Office at (704)283-3789, or Union County Crime Stoppers at (704)283-5600.

District: Union
Current Role: Piedmont Middle School Teacher
History: New teacher; holds a “permit to teach”
Employment status: Unclear. “Former” teacher per Union County Sheriff’s Office statement.

Statement from District: No official statement has been issued by Union County Public Schools as of May 2, 2024.

NC Teacher License Information: 

License Number: 1287370
Name: Martin, Max Gunnar
License Type: Educator
License Status: Current
Expiration Date: 06/30/2024
Effective Date: 07/01/2023
License Area(s): Permit to Teach

Updates:

Per the Department of Public Instruction, Martin’s license has been suspended.