A Wayne County Public Schools teacher has been arrested on indecent liberties charges.

ANDREW CLIFTON RICHARDS

Name: Andrew Clifton Richards
Age: 37
Charge(s): 3 counts indecent liberties with a student (Class G Felony)
Charge Type(s): (View Sentencing Chart)
Arrest Date: 5-3-24
Bond Details: $25,000 unsecured.

Victim /Case Details: 

Wayne County Sheriff’s Office indicated they were contacted on April 26 by a woman who previously attended Charles B. Aycock High School. The woman claimed there had been an inappropriate relationship with Richards when she was a student at the school during the 2014-2015 school year.

The investigation is still ongoing.

District: Wayne County Public Schools
Current Role: English teacher, Charles B. Aycock High School
History: Employed with the district since 2011
Employment status: Resigned on May 3, 2024.

Statement from District: 

Dr. March Whichard, Wayne County Public Schools Superintendent:

“All school district employees are expected to maintain the highest professional, moral, and ethical standards in their interactions with students. While we are limited in what we can say, as this is a personnel matter, we can say that the school district takes any concerns about inappropriate conduct by staff very seriously. We appreciate the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office for its support with this matter.”

NC Teacher License Information: 

License Number: 1130500
Name: RICHARDS, ANDREW CLIFTON
License Type: Educator
License Status: Current
Expiration Date: 06/30/2024
Effective Date: 07/01/2019
License Area(s): English 9-12

Updates:

Per the Department of Public Instruction, the teaching license for Richards has been summarily suspended.

Richards was convicted on April 9, 2025 for felony indecent liberties with a student. He served no jail time and instead was given a suspended sentence of 36 months probation.