Teacher charged with battery
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on May 26, 2016 1:46 PM
A substitute teacher for the Wayne County Public School System has been accused of sexual battery against a student.
Larry Best, 38, of 2711 Billy Francis Drive, allegedly called a student into the classroom he was in at Wayne Middle High Academy on May 17 and gave the student a hug, rubbing the student's buttocks while he hugged the student.
"Sexual battery is doing something outside of a person's clothing," said Maj. Tom Effler with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
Sexual battery is defined under North Carolina law as engaging in sexual contact with another person against their will or in an instance where the person is disabled, mentally incapacitated or physically helpless, with the intent of sexual arousal or gratification.
Wayne County Public School System Public Information Officer Ken Derksen said Best resigned from his post as a substitute teacher on Monday.
"Due to personnel privacy laws, the district cannot discuss any details of his resignation," Derksen said.
According to a report filed with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, Best called the student into the classroom he was in at the academy while the student was walking to class. Best reportedly told the student to enter the classroom because there were cameras in the hallway.
The incident is still under investigation by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
Sexual battery is a misdemeanor, but Effler confirmed that formal charges have not been filed against Best.
Best served as a substitute teacher for the Wayne County Public School System intermittently since 2004. Despite the alleged sexual battery being reported on May 18, Best's last day as a substitute at Wayne Middle High Academy was also May 18, which was the same day he resigned.