North Augusta High School Teacher Arrested on 5 Child Pornography Charges
Teacher and Pastor Under Investigation for Child Exploitation
In a shocking turn of events, a respected high school teacher and longtime pastor from Aiken, South Carolina was reportedly arrested on five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. The 58-year-old, named Charles Richard Wilson, was said to be in possession of child pornography, as stated by the authorities.
Wilson is a familiar face in the North Augusta High School where he has been teaching social studies. The school authorities have placed him on administrative leave following the arrest reports. Prior to his teaching career, the accused was a lead pastor at Langley First Baptist Church and later at Oakwood Baptist Church in Lexington.
Disturbing Details Emerge
The arrest warrants against the accused paint a grim picture, alleging the presence of sexually explicit material involving minors. As stated in the warrants, visual representations of minors engaging in sexual activity were found in his possession. The explicit images were said to include nudity of underaged girls, with some images showing their genitals and a hand touching them.
Social Studies Teacher with Hidden Darkness
Having joined in March 2022, Wilson was a fresh addition to the faculty of North Augusta High. He had earned recognition as the school’s First Year Teacher of the Year in November 2023. In addition to his teaching duties, Wilson was known for his work as a pastor having spent more than two decades serving the Oakwood Baptist Church.
A Hasty Erasure
The news of the arrest quickly triggered reactions with educational authorities swiftly removing online references pertaining to Wilson. However, a peek into his past reveals a seemingly dedicated educator and religious leader. In addition to his longstanding ministerial service, Wilson participated in mission work in Kenya and has been a part of the Africa Inland Mission.
An Unsuspecting Recruitment and the Ensuing Investigation
According to official sources, Wilson was hired by the school district in May 2023 and the professional background check done then had revealed no criminal history. The alarming arrest has prompted the district to reinforce their commitment to the safety and well-being of their students and to extend full cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
The tighter investigation net cast around the accused was initiated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force of the Aiken Department of Public Safety. The investigators, supported by officers from the Office of the State Attorney General and Aiken County Sherrif’s Office, acted upon a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Charges and Consequent Arrest
The exhaustive investigation led to the distribution of child sexual abuse files by the suspect. Consequently, Wilson was arrested and officially charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a felony offense that carries a potential sentence up to 10 years in prison for each count. The accused is currently held in Aiken County jail with a bond listed at $4,000 for each count.
