Newton-Conover City Schools Gives Statement On Teacher Arrested In Child Sex Sting

Wali Alston,

UPDATE: Newton-Conover City Schools issued a statement after a former employee was arrested on child sex crime charges.

“Blaine Gregory began working for the Newton-Conover City Schools on January 30, 2017, as a teacher at Newton-Conover Middle School.Β  Mr. Gregory resigned his employment and surrendered his teaching license on March 29, 2017.Β  Mr. Gregory’s arrest does not involve any students in the Newton-Conover City School District.

Because this is a personnel matter, the school district cannot provide any further comment about Mr. Gregory, his arrest or his resignation.Β  However, Newton-Conover City Schools can state that it conducts an extensive background screening, including contacting professional references and obtaining a criminal history, before any applicant is approved for employment.”

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LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Lincolnton Police say a former Newton-Conover Middle School employee was one of several men arrested as a result of an undercover investigation into online sex offenders.

Detectives have charged, 52-year-old, Blane Gregory and seven other men withΒ one count of soliciting a child for an unlawful sex act by a computer and appearing to meet such child.

Alexander County School System officials have confirmed Gregory was an assistant principal and teacher at East Alexander Middle School from July of 2016 until January of 2017. On January 30th, Newton-Conover officials say Gregory was hired on as a teacher atΒ Newton-Conover Middle School.

The three month investigation involved detectives posing as children on various social media sites. The detectives developed a dialogue with the offenders which included an agreement to meet the child in Lincolnton to have an unlawful sexual relationship.

β€œThe main goal is to deter this type of behavior on line and identify any other potential victims in an effort to provide services as needed and to develop any other potential charges towards any of these offenders associated with any of these cases.”

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing.