North Carolina Assistant Principal Accused of Having Sex With Middle School Student Suspended From Job

An assistant principal at a middle school in North Carolina has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a student, according to authorities.

On Aug. 7, deputies began investigating allegations that a school administrator had been involved in “misconduct” with a student, according to the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators conducted interviews and gathered evidence during the initial investigation, which led to the arrest of 39-year-old James Tyler Kelly at a home in High Point, according to authorities.

Officials said the alleged misconduct did not occur on school property.

According to the arrest warrant, the alleged offense was “[penile] to vaginal sexual intercourse with the student victim,” for whom no age, grade level or other identifying information was listed, The Alamance News reported.

The warrant states the date of the alleged offense as Aug. 4.

Kelly had served as an assistant principal at Southern High School prior to his transfer in June to a comparable position at Southern Middle School.

Kelly was booked into the Alamance County Detention Center and charged with one count of felony sex act with a student, officials said.

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He was given a $50,000 bond, which was posted.

“We are deeply troubled by the recent arrest of one of our Assistant Principals for alleged misconduct with a student," the Alamance Burlington School System said in a statement. "Protecting our students is our top priority. While we must let the legal process unfold, any such allegations represent a profound breach of trust with our ABSS community."

The school system added: "We are cooperating fully with law enforcement as this is an ongoing investigation and will take appropriate actions based on the findings of the investigation.”