(10/19/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Ralph David Surridge, 57, a teacher at Mineral Springs Middle School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina has reportedly been arrested on allegations of the sexual abuse of a student and possession of firearms by a felon.
Reportedly, Surridge has been charged with one count of sexual offense with a student, five counts of indecent liberties with a child, three counts of taking indecent liberties with a student and one count of statutory sexual offense against a person who is 13, 14, or 15 years old. All counts are felony offenses and all sexually related charges allege the same victim.
In addition, Surridge who was convicted of embezzlement in 1985 has also been charged with five felony counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Following his arrest, Surridge was being held in the Forsyth County jail on bonds totaling $2 million.
Surridge has worked for the school system for seven years, all of those years at Mineral Springs and school officials will reportedly hold a press conference today to discuss the issues.
A school system spokesperson had indicated that while Surridge’s felony conviction for embezzlement would preclude him from working in a position involving money it does not preclude him from working as a teacher.
Surridge has a preliminary hearing set for November 6th.
10/26/09 – Case Update
The arrest warrants for Ralph Surridge have been released and reveal that the alleged victim is 13-years-old.
They also reveal that the weapons recovered from Surridge, a convicted felon, include a Colt .22 Caliber Handgun and a Marlin .22 Caliber Rifle.
According to www.digtriad.com:
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system announced last week that it would conduct additional check on employees to make sure others don’t fall through the cracks.
11/03/09 – School Superintendent Suspends Surridge Without Pay
Reportedly, Don Martin, the Superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, has changed Ralph Surridge’s status to suspended without pay and is recommending that Surridge be fired.
A statement released by Martin said, “I am recommending Surridge’s dismissal for two reasons. First, our investigation supports his dismissal. That kind of behavior is absolutely unacceptable in our school system.”
Martin’s statement, went on to say, “Second, based on a review of Surridge’s criminal history and our examination of his application and license renewal information provided to the Department of Public Instruction, I believe he knowingly misrepresented his criminal background.”
Martin indicated that he understands that the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has begun the process of revoking Surridge’s teaching license.
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It takes maybe 3 to 5 minutes to check the NC Sex Offender Registry and the NC Dept of Corrections Criminal Officers websites. Educators and school employees who abuse children are escalating in North Carolina. Where is NC AG Roy T. Cooper and why isn’t he doing something about this. Most of these teachers get to plead down and get probation only.
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