Staff report
SPENCER ó The call that led to the investigation and arrest of a North Rowan High School teacher Tuesday came from the family of his alleged victim, according to Police Chief Robert D. Bennett.
Bobby Eric Sharpe,32, of 1022 Fourth Creek Landing Drive, Statesville, is charged with 28 counts of sexual activity with a student and 12 counts of statutory sexual offense.
“The student was at North Rowan and there is no indication any other students were involved at this point,” Bennett said Wednesday morning.
The girl’s family, which is not from Spencer, reported the consensual relationship and has been working with police throughout the investigation, he said.
Police got the tip on June 3 and Officer Tony Hinson, the school resource officer, was assigned to the case.
The affair was over by the time the family found out about it, Bennett said. The girl was 15 when the affair started and is 16 now.
Warrants were drawn up Monday and Sharpe turned himself in Tuesday. He resigned his position at North Rowan High School the day the allegations were made.
Bennett said the State Bureau of Investigation computer forensic team will look for evidence on Sharpe’s home computers, which investigators took from his home. Bennett said he does not believe child pornography will be found.
Investigators also seized greeting cards that Bennett said the student sent the teacher.
Sharpe is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center under $200,000 bond. He is scheduled to have a first appearance in court on Thursday.