Teacher in South Carolina faces extra charges after leaving classroom

A former social studies teacher from Columbia, South Carolina, now faces more serious legal trouble after leaving his job suddenly. The 29-year-old man, who previously worked at Lower Richland High School, was arrested in February on multiple charges related to minors. These include serious allegations like second-degree criminal sexual conduct and promoting prostitution involving underage individuals. His troubles didn’t stop there. In April, he was hit with two additional charges: exposing people to HIV. This came after an ongoing investigation that began in early 2024, triggered by reports involving two young victims. Authorities haven’t shared many details about what exactly happened, but the accusations are severe enough that no bail was granted.Before his arrest, the teacher had already stepped down from his position. School records show he quit the same day he was taken into custody. The state education department acted quickly, suspending his teaching license with a strong warning. Official documents stated he “may pose a threat to the health, safety and welfare” of students, raising questions about how he slipped through background checks in the first place. Records also reveal that this wasn’t his first school in the area. He had previously taught at two other middle schools—Johnakin Middle School and Southeast Middle School—both in nearby counties. His career path took him across different districts, leaving a trail of positions he no longer holds. As of now, he remains in jail at the Marion County Detention Center, with no clear timeline for when his case will move forward. The situation highlights gaps that may exist in how schools vet employees, especially when past behavior isn’t caught early.