Williamson
Edward Heath Williamson, 33, of 10 Johnia Court, is facing two counts of a sexual act between a teacher and a student for an alleged relationship with a 17-year-old female. Williamson, THS’ Instructional Technological Facilitator, is accused of having sexual intercourse with the female, who is one of his students, on two separate occasions while on school grounds. Williamson has been suspended with pay until an investigation is completed.
“We were told about some improprieties and we investigated and found there was some truth to it,” THS Principal Deboy Beamon said. “He broke a sacred code and you just don’t do that.”
According to Det. Jeff McCrary, Thomasville Police Department received notification by the THS school resource officer last Wednesday that a teacher was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a female student. An investigation alleges that Williamson and the female had two separate sexual encounters on Dec. 16 and Jan. 15. Since the female student is at least 16 years old, no statutory charges have been filed.
“This is a class G felony,” said McCrary. “This crime was put in place specifically for teacher-student relationships. Age has nothing to do with it. Teachers are not allowed to have sexual relationships with students they’re teaching.”
Williamson turned himself into TPD on Friday and was issued a $10,000 unsecured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Thomasville District Court on Feb. 12.
“There have been accusations about an inappropriate relationship with a student,” Thomasville City Schools Superintendent Keith Tobin said. “It’s under investigation at this point. Concerning the accusation of a student and a teacher, there was immediate action taken to take care of that situation.”
Tobin didn’t want to comment on whether Williamson would be terminated, but did say that “I can assure you that the situation will be handled appropriately and in a timely manner. It is a personnel matter and I can’t comment any more than that.”
Williamson could not be reached for comment by press time Monday.
Now in his second year at THS, Wiliamson also is an assistant coach with the varsity football team. Williamson came to THS from Randolph County and was responsible for helping students develop senior projects.
Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 888-3578, or duke@tvilletimes.com.
stop writing this garbage already. You
have nothing good to say, then why not
let it go and wait for the facts to be
established by the courts. You may see
yourself regretting all of this later.
Think how you would feel.
If it turns out that this young damsel is not being 100% truthful, as has happened in the past with other such stories, you will see that you are going to feel pretty lousy. Let's hope you never find yourself in such a situation.
If I'm wrong, and it's all true, then so be it--I won't feel bad, stupid, or anything else. I will feel good about being able to view someone more favorably than he deserved, as opposed to viewing him in a light less favorable than he deserved.
It's obvious you're upset about the situation but I believe the reasoning behind her name not being published is bc of her age. Also she is not completely at fault here. It takes two. Mr. Williamson, as the adult, has a part in this. As the adult and mentor/administrator that line should have never been crossed. Its obvious he made a terrible mistake nad im sure both sides are suffering from it.
It's unfortunate, but we all do things. We just don't expect to get caught. Sometimes we have to count to cost. What is at risk?
Easy to write. Other than his parental/marital status, you are just speculating based upon TCS procedures. At any rate, I suspect an arrest is, by definition, probable cause.
You have real first hand knowledge--prove it.
I don't think any blame should be placed on anyone until the issue is resolved.
Put another way, if it turns out that the alleged events actually occurred, I agree with you wholeheartedly. If it turns out the other way, however, only Williamson is being slandered.
Now, the complaints below relate to the automatic assignment of predator status to Williamson before any facts come out other than an arrest. Unless you were in the room, reviewed a video tape, or otherwise have first hand personal knowledge of exactly what happened, I think you're wrong to automatically assign victim and/or predator status to anyone involved in this story.
En mi opinión, la afirmación ridícula de que la gente en Thomasville no saben leer o escribir en Inglés no tiene méritos.
Si eso es cierto, entonces ¿cómo puedo saber cómo leer su comentario?
Su sarcasmo es innecesaria!
At any rate, the sarcasm noted in my comment wasn't directed at you! It was directed to the author of the article, whose inclusion of the principal's comments was, in my opinion, inappropriate!
Speaking of things that are not needed, I notice your writing style incorporates copious usage of exclamation points! I suggest that you perhaps consider ending a sentence with a period every once in a while instead of an exclamation point! Exclamation points should be reserved for use in limited circumstances! If not, reading your comments becomes tedious and annoying!
In other words, exclamation points and other forms of emphasis are not always necessary!
I just love the principal's comments in the story. Way to paint a picture.
Don't worry, I'm sure your irresponsible story certainly will not tread upon Mr. Williamson's right to a fair and impartial jury of his peers. After all, Thomasville is a big place and very few people there can read--particularly English.
Yes, there's a little sarcasm in this comment.