A Wilkes County Public Schools teacher has resigned after being arrested on 20 sex crime charges involving minors.

DAVID LEE GREGORY

Name: David Lee Gregory
Age: 40
Charge(s): 10 counts of Indecent liberties with a child (Class G Felony), 3 counts of dissemination to minors less than 16 years of age (Class H Felony, 5 counts attempted sexual activity with a student (Class G Felony), 2 counts of attempted second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor (Class E Felony).
Total charges at initial arrest: 20
Charge Type(s): (View Sentencing Chart)
Arrest Date: 5-31-24
Bond Details: $150,000 secured; posted 5-31-24

Victim /Case Details: 

Wilkes Sheriff’s Office Statement:

“As a result of an ongoing investigation by the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office, 40 yr. old David Lee Gregory of North Wilkesboro has been charged with 10 counts of Indecent liberties with a child, three counts of dissemination to minors less than 16, five counts attempted sexual activity with a student, and two counts of attempted second-degree sexual exploitation. There are numerous victims in the case that date back as far as 2005. Gregory turned himself in on Friday May 31st, where he received a $150,000 secured bond. Mr. Gregory was released on bond. This is an ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time.”

The Sheriff’s statement did not indicate whether or not the victims were students in the district.

District: Wilkes County Public Schools
Current Role: Exceptional Children’s teacher and coach
History: Employed with district since 2010
Employment status: Suspended May 1. Resigned May 31 without the statutory required 30 days notice. District required Gregory to surrender his teaching license.

Statement from District: 

“David Gregory has been employed with Wilkes County Schools as an exceptional children’s teacher and coach since 2005. He has been assigned to both North Wilkes Middle School and North Wilkes High School, and has been at North Wilkes High School since 2010. He was suspended from employment on May 1, 2024 pending an investigation by law enforcement.

Mr. Gregory resigned from employment with the Wilkes County Schools on May 31, 2024. For him to resign in lieu of a dismissal, the school district required Mr. Gregory to surrender to the State Department of Public Instruction his professional educator’s license. He is no longer eligible to teach in any North Carolina public school district. The same result has been achieved as would be available through a teacher dismissal proceeding.

Wilkes County Schools has worked closely with law enforcement authorities in this matter and will continue to do so.”

NC Teacher License Information: 

License Number: 1060403
Name: GREGORY, DAVID LEE
License Type: Educator
License Status: Current
Expiration Date: 06/30/2024
Effective Date: 07/01/2019
License Area(s): Exceptional Children: General Curriculum (K-12)
Physical Education
Learning Disabled K-12
Mathematics 6-9