Barbour County teacher arrested on sex charge involving student

A Barbour County High School teacher has been arrested for having a sexual relationship with a student and authorities are expanding the investigation by looking at another school where the teacher was employed.

Marcus Deron Woodham, 37, of Brundidge, was arrested Monday and charged with sexual abuse first degree, according to Barbour County Sheriff LeRoy Upshaw.

The victim in this case revealed to her parents that a teacher had been inappropriate with her at school, according to Barbour County Investigator Sgt. David Morris. Her parents contacted school officials and Barbour County Schools Superintendent Gary Quick contacted the Barbour County Department Of Human Resources who then contacted the sheriff’s office.

Woodham was arrested, booked into the Barbour County Jail and later released on bond.

Authorities are also working with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office in reference to evidence of allegations made against Woodham while he was a teacher in the Troy City Schools. Evidence uncovered by Morris is being turned over to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Alabama Code, a person commits the crime of sexual abuse in the first degree if he or she subjects another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion; or subjects another person to sexual contact who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated.
Sexual abuse in the first degree is a Class C felony.

Authorities are troubled by the unusually high number of sex crimes worked by the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department this year. Sheriff Upshaw said he considers them a top priority, especially as it comes to crimes against children.

“Because Sheriff Upshaw is a father himself, he believes that all of our children deserve to be and should feel safe in their homes, schools and community,” Morris said.