BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. – A former Sullivan Central High School math teacher has been indicted on a charge of sexual battery by an authority figure.
William Joseph Seagroves, 34, of Jonesborough, Tenn., was indicted on March 31. According to the indictment, the incident occurred on May 23, 2008, and involved a girl who was then 16.
He was arrested April 13 and released on a $30,000 bond.
Seagroves started teaching at Sullivan Central in January 2006. He resigned Oct. 23 after the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office announced it was investigating accusations that he sent inappropriate text messages to one of his students, who was 16. Sullivan County District Attorney General Greeley Wells refused to say whether the charges involve the same girl. He did say Seagroves “is not charged with any crime related to text messages.”
In Tennessee, sexual battery by an authority figure carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, Wells said. Those convicted of this crime also are required to register with the state as sex offenders.
Seagroves will be arraigned at the Sullivan County Courthouse on May 1 at 9 a.m.
gmclean@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2518
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