A Rockingham Public Schools high school teacher was arrested on 10 charges related to child pornography.

GEOFFREY CRAIG HIGHTOWER

Name:  Geoffrey Craig Hightower
Age: 36 
Charge(s): 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor (Class E felony)
Charge Type(s): (View Sentencing Chart)
Arrest Date: 8-22-24
Bond Details:$500,000 bond secured; unposted.Hightower is in the Wake County Jail and has been ordered to have no contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Victim /Case Details: 

Warrant documents show the charges are related to child pornography and date to Dec. 30, 2023.

The warrant document states that for each of the ten charges Hightower “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did duplicate material containing a visual representation of a minor, unknown approximately 6-9 years old, engaged in sexual activity”.

The corresponding digital file name used, per the warrant, was “NEW 2016 Pedo Childlover 8yo Daddy’s Little Girl Pics”.

The arrest was a joint effort between the Garner police, State Bureau of Investigations and Homeland Security Investigations.

Garner Police said the case is still open and Hightower could face additional charges.

Garner Police press release on Facebook:

On 08/22/2024 at 4:30pm, the Garner Police Department in conjunction with the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), conducted a search warrant at 917 Seventh Ave. Apt 205F in regards to an ongoing child exploitation investigation. Geoffrey Craig Hightower, 36, was subsequently arrested and charged with ten counts of Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. This investigation is ongoing.  Any new updates involving this case will be released as they become available.

District: Johnston County Public Schools
Current Role: Smithfield-Selma High School, social studies teacher, and International Baccalaureate teacher;IB Psychology 11/12, IB Biology 11
History: Employment history unknown at this time.
Employment status: Suspended with pay, per district.

Statement from District: 

No official statement issued by the district.

NC Teacher License Information: 

License Number: 1234603
Name: Hightower, Geoffrey
License Type: Educator
License Status: Current
Expiration Date: 06/30/2025
Effective Date: 07/01/2024
License Area(s): Science 9-12, Social Studies 9-12

Updates: Teaching license summarily suspended 9-3-24