Four school employees and one police officer in Aliceville, Alabama, have been arrested after investigators conducted multiple investigations that involved disseminating child sexual abuse material.
The four school employees that were arrested are Antavious Belgrave, Lakethia Wilkins, Roderick Granger and Winston Bishop, according to ABC 3340. All three are on the same school district’s payroll. Meanwhile, Caminion Gary was the Aliceville police officer arrested in the case.
Granger has been charged with six crimes and has been accused of “saving a nude photo of a student and sending it to someone else,” according to WBRC. Meanwhile, Belgrave has been charged with a dozen crimes that include first-degree sexual abuse and indecent exposure.
Wilkins has been charged with use of position for personal gain, possession of child pornography, intent to disseminate porn and obscene matter, while Bishop is charged with solicitation of child pornography, possession of child pornography, distribution of a controlled substance and providing a minor with drugs.
As for Gary, he has been charged with solicitation of child pornography, sexual abuse, production of child pornography, transmitting obscene material to a child by computer and child molestation-enticing a child.
All five suspects are currently being held in the Pickens County Jail. It is not currently clear if any of them have entered pleas or retained legal representation.
Following the recent arrests, investigators said it’s possible that more people will be arrested in connection to the child sex abuse material case.
Aliceville Police Chief Tonnie Jones explained that his department had been looking into several incidents within the school system and worked with numerous agencies amid the lengthy investigation.
“We’ve been working several incidents in our school system, we’ve called several agencies in to assist with our lengthy investigation, and the Aliceville police department was unaware of the investigation of one of our own officers,” Jones said, per ABC 3340.
Jones also addressed the impact of the case, sharing that many students within the school system were victims of the crime. “We are asking all that can, that believe in prayer, to pray. Because there are a lot of victims, there are a lot of victims.” Jones said.
Additionally, he said that he could not yet share the exact number of victims impacted by the crimes as of this time.
The Pickens County School System said it is aware of the recent arrests involving the Aliceville employees, according to the outlet.
The district also insisted that it is fully cooperating with authorities as the investigation progresses. However, the school is not able to comment on specific details since the investigation is still active.
“The safety, well-being, and education of our students remain our highest priorities. When concerns arise, we act promptly and in accordance with district policy and state law,” the statement continued. “Appropriate personnel actions have been taken to ensure continued stability within our schools.”
The district concluded, “The actions of a few individuals do not reflect the dedication, professionalism, and integrity of the many outstanding employees who serve our students every day.”
The District Attorney’s Office, the Aliceville Police Department, the State Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations in Birmingham worked together to make the arrests.
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