A Darlington County teacher has been arrested and accused of child sex crimes.
Paul Nelson Locklear, 53, was arrested by the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office after “information received led to allegations of unlawful sexual activity and the discovery of additional victims and allegations dating back to 2022,” according to the sheriff’s office news release reported by WMBF News.
Locklear is facing multiple charges: one count of sexual activity by a substitute parent, one count of attempted sexual activity by a substitute parent, three counts of indecent liberties with a minor, one count of child abuse sexual act, nine counts of crimes against nature, and four counts of misdemeanor sexual battery, according to the sheriff’s office.
Locklear retired from his position as a principal in the Public Schools of Robeson County after nearly 20 years. He also served as a foster parent and became a teacher in Darlington County in 2021.
WBTW reported that in August, a juvenile whom Locklear was fostering contacted authorities after running away. This incident initiated the investigation, and since then, authorities have identified additional alleged victims dating back to 2022.
Darlington County Public Schools has since terminated Locklear’s employment with the school district and is actively cooperating with law enforcement. Spokeswoman Audrey Childers stated, “The Darlington County School District was made aware of charges by the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office against an individual who worked at Darlington Middle School. That individual is no longer employed by the school district. DCSD will cooperate fully with Robeson County law enforcement in their investigations.”
Multiple agencies are involved in this ongoing investigation, including the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office juvenile division, the Robeson County District Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.
Locklear has been booked at the Robeson County Detention Center with a bond set at $2 million.
Anyone with information about the case(s) is asked to contact (910) 671-3170.
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[Fewture Photo via Robeson County Sheriff’s Office]
