|
|
|
|
A 28-year-old Mary G. Montgomery high school teacher identified as Alicia Gray turned herself into the Mobile County Metro Jail on Monday, Feb. 25, where she was charged with four counts of sexual assault involving one of her 14-year-old male students.
The charges filed against Gray included two counts of second-degree sodomy, one count of second-degree sexual abuse and one count of being a school employee who had sexual contact with a student under the age of 19.
The case was reviewed by Mobile County Sheriff’s detectives and investigators with the Child Advocacy Center. All involved in the investigation agreed there was enough evidence to arrest Gray, according to Mobile County Sheriff’s spokesperson Lori Myles.
The case will go to the District Attorney’s office sometime in March and charges are likely to go before a grand jury sometime in the upcoming months, according to Myles.
The victim’s family has hired attorney David Greene to represent their interests.
The mental health of the victim is Greene’s main concern at this point in the investigation. Greene sympathizes with the boy, saying, he will have to deal with the emotional scars by means of counseling.
"Think about it. She’s 28 and he’s 14. My goodness,” Greene said, adding, "It’s not only illegal, it’s morally wrong. It’s wrong on many levels.”
Throughout numerous interviews, Greene has reiterated that the teacher used her position of authority to take advantage of a minor.
"That’s not what a teacher is supposed to be doing,” Greene said.
At this time, the family’s goal is to keep their son at Mary G. Montgomery High School.
"That’s just home,” Greene said, "The teacher has been removed and obviously will not be going back.”
As far as the case’s recent publicity, Greene said, "It’s something they’ve never been through before,” adding, "As parents they’re just saddened by how this occurred.”
While the DA prepares a criminal case against Gray, Greene has also launched his own civil investigation, confirming they will be pursuing a civil complaint in Mobile County circuit court.
"Our end of the case is secondary to the criminal case,” Greene said. "Right now the criminal case is more important than what we’re doing. We will pursue our [case] in due time,” Greene said, reassuring the public that "She will get what she’s due.”
Just days before Gray turned herself into authorties Mobile County Superintendent Martha Peek sent out an email on Friday, Feb. 22 to the principals and central office division leaders of the Mobile County Public School System.
Friday’s email emphasized that MCPSS employees are not allowed to talk to media without notifying the communication supervisor Nancy Pierce. Peek emphasized that if media representatives were to contact any MCPSS employee, the employee should not directly participate in any type of interviews.
Pierce dismissed the notion there was any connection between this directive and the Gray case.
"Media are supposed to contact me first before interviewing. This did not have to do with the Gray case. It is for all interviews,” Pierce said.
Upon hearing about Peek’s email, the victim’s attorney, said he was not aware of it, but he is interested to see this turn up in evidence.
"I would guess that there would be more to this than meets the eye,” Greene said. "What are they hiding?”
While investigations are underway, Gray remains out on bond. She is due back in court some time in early March.
|
