PENDER COUNTY — A Topsail High School assistant teacher and track coach has been charged with human trafficking in a case involving a 14-year-old former student at the school.
Ahmad Rashad Garrison, 27, of 305 Cedar Island Trail, Holly Ridge, has been charged with one count each of human trafficking of a child victim and soliciting a child by computer, according to Pender County Sheriff’s Office Capt. James Rowell.
Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Garrison on Thursday, when he allegedly showed up to meet the 14-year-old female for sex, Rowell said.
An investigation began when the parents of the victim found inappropriate Instagram messages sent between their daughter and Garrison, Rowell said. The victim was a former student at Topsail High School at the time of the arrest.
Investigators also allege Garrison offered to take the 14-year-old girl to Charlotte and have her perform sex acts for money. That brought about the human trafficking charge, Rowell said. Garrison is booked at the Pender County Jail under a $1 million secured bond.
Garrison had been employed at Topsail High School as an assistant teacher and track coach. Rowell said Garrison resigned from the school district immediately after his arrest.
“Sheriff’s Office investigators believe there may be additional victims and others with knowledge of Garrision’s activities during his tenure at the high school,” Rowell said.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Pender County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Steve Clinard at 910-259-1212.