Sheriff: WCPSS teacher had sexual relationship with former student in Kinston

The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office said Timothy Allen Bennett, 39, of Raleigh, was a teacher at South Lenoir High School during the 2015-2016 school year and had a relationship with a student during that time.

Communication between Bennett and the student continued even after Bennett left Kinston to take a job with the Wake County Public School System in August.

Bennett is a fine arts teacher at Sanderson High School in Raleigh, according to the school's website.

“This is another unfortunate case of a teacher taking advantage of a young person who is not yet prepared to make adult decisions,” said Sheriff Ronnie Ingram. “Teachers are in positions to mold our children. This is one of the small number of public servants who compromise the public trust placed in them. This teacher, along with any other public servants, are not above the law and will be held accountable in the court system.”

Ingram said investigations indicated that neither Lenoir County Public Schools nor South Lenoir High School officials had any knowledge of the incident.

Bennett was charged with one count of sexual activity with a student and one count of crime against nature. He was being held in the W.E. “Billy” Smith Detention Center under $40,000 secured bond.