LELAND — Leland police have charged a Pender County elementary teacher with a long list of child sex offenses.
Thursday morning, 39-year-old Parker Brown, of Leland, was arrested for six counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor for possession of child pornography, and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Brown was a fifth grade teacher at C.F. Pope Elementary School in Burgaw, which serves about 475 students. Pender County Schools suspended the teacher; however, PCS spokesperson Bob Fankboner said Brown submitted his resignation shortly after his arrest.
The district sent out a press release and noted Brown allegedly “uploaded and shared images of a minor.” It added there is no indication Pender County students were included in the images allegedly shared by Brown.
Fankboner said Brown was first hired by the district in 2005; his work history was not immediately available to PCD. The report will be updated if and when more information becomes available.
“As with anything like this, we will have counselors available to any students or staff who feel the need to speak with somebody,” Fankboner said.
The district will place a substitute in Brown’s position immediately and identify a long-term replacement teacher for his class.
“This is still very early in what’s going on,” Fankboner said. “We’ll just continue to work with law enforcement to do anything we can.”
Parker has no criminal record listed on the state’s offender database. He was placed in Brunswick County Detention Center on a $250,000 secured bond.
PCD reached out to Leland Police Department and a written report is forthcoming.
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