Band teacher faces 33 charges for alleged sex crimes involving student

PITTSBORO, North Carolina -- A Chatham County Schools band teacher was charged Thursday with a slew of sex crimes involving a minor student.

The Chatham County Sheriff's Office charged Robert William Woodard III, 28, of the 7700 block of Landis Drive in Guilford County, with eight counts of felony indecent liberties with a student, seven counts of felony first-degree sexual offense of a child 15 years of age or younger and 18 counts of felony sex acts with a student.

Woodard resigned Thursday afternoon from Chatham County Schools, where he was a band teacher at both Chatham Central High School in Bear Creek and Bennett School in Bennett.

Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App

Woodard was suspended with pay Monday following the report of an unrelated alleged violation of Chatham County Board of Education policy.

An internal investigation by school officials on Tuesday, along with a tip from a parent later that evening, revealed potential violations of law, which the district promptly reported to the Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office is investigating allegations that Woodard was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a female student at Chatham Central High School. The SBI is assisting with the investigation.

"The well-being of students is our top priority. It always is," Chatham County Schools public relations coordinator John McCann said. "We have zero tolerance for inappropriate relationships - both online and offline - between school employees and our students. We will seek the permanent revocation of Woodard's license as a professional educator with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction."

Woodard is in the Chatham County Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond.

He is scheduled to appear in Chatham County District Court on March 20.