A former teacher jailed for allegedly coercing a teen girl into performing a sex act has been indicted by a Columbus County grand jury on 12 charges.
Jody Watts, 49, is being held under $750,000 secured bond on charges of first and third degree sexual exploitation of a minor, indecent liberties with a student, and indecent liberties with a minor student. The victim in the case is 17 years old. Warrants show that while Watts was the victim’s teacher, he allegedly had the teen perform a sex act live during a FaceTime conversation while he watched.
He was originally arrested in November and held under no bond. Watts is charged with first degree sexual exploitation of a minor and taking indecent liberties with a student. Watts was also charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia when he was taken into custody, according to warrant. His address was listed in Green Sea, S.C.
Lake Waccamaw Police Chief Scott Hyatt said the reported crimes did not occur at the school.
Watts was a theater and television production teacher on the school website. Thomas Academy is the charter school attached to the Boys and Girls Home of Lake Waccamaw. It has students who are residents of the home and from across the county.
Officials with BGHNC and Thomas Academy were immediately notified and are cooperating with law enforcement and the district attorney’s office, a statement from the Home said at the time of Watts’ initial arrest.
“Boys and Girls Homes is first and foremost concerned about youth safety at all times,” said Marc Murphy, President and CEO of BGHNC. “We consider the care of all our children a serious responsibility and will not tolerate any lapses from that commitment within our organization.”
“Our prayers go out to the families of everyone affected by this,” Hyatt said.
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