Deputies in Orange County charged an elementary school teacher with spying on students. The arrest of the alleged suspect was made on Friday.
A man from Mebane, 46 years old, named Robert James Herman was charged with one count of Class I felony secret peeping by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Police say Herman works as a teacher at Efland-Cheeks Elementary School.
A news release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office says, “A report from a concerned citizen led to the investigation.”
According to court records in Orange County, the crime happened on May 3.
The Orange County School District said that Herman was kicked out of school on Friday by the sheriff’s office after he was accused of inappropriate behavior with a student.
The school leaders said that the district is fully cooperating with the sheriff’s office. They also said that Herman has been suspended with pay and will not be able to go to any school property or site while the investigation is still going on.
The sheriff’s office said that Herman promised in writing at the magistrate’s office to show up in court on Monday. The news release said, “The investigation is active and ongoing.”
“Nothing is more important to Orange County Schools and all our public safety partners than the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff,” the Orange County School District said in a released statement on Friday. “Please know how much we appreciate our students, families, and community members who help us keep our schools safe at all times, and we always thank the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for their continued partnership.”
Investigator P. Gilchrist can be reached at (919) 245-2928 if anyone knows anything about the case.