A former longtime Robeson County educator and principal who was working in the South Carolina School district of Darlington County has been arrested on nearly 20 sex crime charges involving a foster child in their custody.
PAUL NELSON LOCKLEAR
Name: Paul Nelson Locklear
Age: 53
Charge(s):
1 count sexual activity by a substitute parent (Class E Felony)
1 count attempted sexual activity by a substitute parent (Class E Felony)
3 counts of indecent liberties with a minor (Class G Felony)
1 count child abuse through sexual acts (Class D Felony)
9 counts of crimes against nature (Class I Felony)
4 counts of sexual battery (Class A1 Misdemeanor)
Charge Type(s): (View Sentencing Chart)
Court Case: Robeson County Courts are not yet linked in eCourts
Arrest Date: 12-21-24
Bond Details: $2 million, secured. Unposted.
Victim /Case Details:
Via the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook:
Educator/Foster Parent Charged With Multiple Child Sex Offenses
Media Release – Saturday, December 21, 2024
A retired Robeson County Principal and current teacher with the Darlington County Public Schools has been arrested in Columbus County by Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Investigators.
An investigation was initiated in August 2024 after a juvenile who was placed in the suspect’s foster care ran away from the home and contacted the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office. Information received led to allegations of unlawful sexual activity, and the discovery of additional victims and allegations dating back to 2022.
Paul Nelson Locklear, 53, of Pembroke was arrested and charged with one (1) count of sexual activity by a substitute parent, one (1) count of attempted sexual activity by a substitute parent, three (3) counts of indecent liberties with a minor, one (1) count of child abuse sexual act, nine (9) counts of crimes against nature, and four (4) counts of misdemeanor sexual battery.
Locklear was placed in the custody of the Robeson County Detention Center with a $2,000,000.00 bond.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Division is investigating the case.
The Robeson County District Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Columbus County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.
Anyone with information about the case(s) is asked to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3170.
Under our system of justice, every person is presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The information contained in this post is not intended to be an expression of opinion regarding guilt. The views and opinions expressed by private citizens who may comment on this post are not adopted by and do not reflect the official policy or position of this law enforcement agency.
NOTE: The Sheriff’s Office does not issue or determine bond amounts. This is done through a judicial official, such as a judge or magistrate, as per N.C. General Statute 15A-532. Many factors are considered when determining bond amounts.
District: Robeson County NC (Previous) Darlington SC (current)
Current Role: Teacher (Aug. 2021)
History: Former Robeson County principal (Began July 2010 – 2021; Has a current NC License), Social Studies Teacher in Hoke County Schools (Oct. 1999 – July 2002). Social Studies Teacher in Robeson County Schools (Oct. 1996 – July 1997) (LinkedIn Profile)
Adjunct Instructor at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s School of Education since Jan. 2019, although the page has been removed. He was elected president of the UNC Pembroke alumni board in 2022.
Employment status: “No longer employed by the district,” according to Darlington County Schools.
Statement from District:
Darlington County Schools statement:
The Darlington County School District was made aware of charges by the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office against an individual who worked at Darlington Middle School. That individual is no longer employed by the school district. DCSD will cooperate fully with Robeson County law enforcement in their investigation. Please direct all further inquiries to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Robeson County Schools have offered no statement.
NC Teacher License Information:
License Number: 798839
Name: LOCKLEAR, PAUL NELSON
License Type: Educator
License Status: Current
Expiration Date: 06/30/2027
Effective Date: 07/01/2022
License Area(s): School Administrator: Principal, Social Studies 6-9, School Administrator: Superintendent
South Carolina Teacher License Information:
District: Darlington
Paul N Locklear
Certificate Number: 307749
Certificate Status: Current
Certificate: Leadership – Professional
Most Recent Validity Period: 07-01-2021 to 06-30-2026
Certification fields & date first issued:
Superintendent 07-01-2021
School Principal: Elementary – Tier 1 07-01-2021
School Principal: Secondary – Tier 1 07-01-2021
Certificate: Teaching – Professional
Most Recent Validity Period: 07-01-2021 to 06-30-2026
Certification fields & date first issued:
Middle Level Social Studies 07-01-2021
Endorsement in: Gifted and Talented 07-01-2023
Updates
The following are cases in eCourts associated with Locklear’s charges that are pending in Robeson County Superior Court:
LL1885 
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