A Lake Waccamaw area charter school employee has been fired after being charged with sex crimes involving a student as well as drug charges.

JODY WATTS

Name: Jody Watts
Age: 49
Charge(s): Indecent liberties with a student (Class G Felony), First-degree sexual exploitation of a minor (Class C Felony), Possession of cocaine (Class I Felony), Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class 1 Misdemeanor)
An April 2025 Grand Jury Indictment added four counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and three more counts each for indecent liberties with a student and first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
Charge Type(s): (View Sentencing Chart)
Arrest Date: 11-20-24
Bond Details: $1,200 secured, posted.

Victim /Case Details:
The victim is a female student, age 17, per warrant information.
The warrant states Watts “did induce, coerce, encourage, facilitate” a minor to engage in sexual activity while Watts “was watching via FaceTime.”
Lake Waccamaw Police Chief Scott Hyatt said that when the search warrant was being executed, officers found cocaine in a container inside of Watts’ car. Hyatt said the investigation began when Thomas Academy officials contacted his office about “inappropriate communications” involving Watts.

District: Columbus County Public Schools
Current Role: Teacher, Thomas Academy (Charter School)
Thomas Academy is affiliated with /operated by the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina (BGHNC) property at Lake Waccamaw.
History: Unknown at this time. School has indicated Watts taught “elective courses.” Watts resides in Green Sea, South Carolina.
Employment status: Terminated

Statement from District/School:
BGHNC President and CEO Marc Murphy: “Boys & Girls Homes is first and foremost concerned about youth safety at all times. We consider the care of all our children a serious responsibility and will not tolerate any lapses from that commitment within our organization.”

Thomas Academy and BGHNC have both stated they are cooperating with police and that, “The student involved is receiving support and counseling care through Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina.”

NC Teacher License Information: No verified match at this time.

This is the second employee of Thomas Academy to be arrested in recent years.

Irvin James Braddy was arrested on Dec. 12, 2023, and was charged with three counts of felony sexual activity involving a 17-year-old female student. Like Watts, Braddy was also fired.

Braddy has been convicted on all charges and given 36 months supervised probation. He was also required to register as a sex offender for a minimum of 10 years.