SPRINGDALE -- A Fayetteville schoolteacher was arrested Thursday on charges of online enticement of a child and attempting to obtain child pornography, said Paul Hewitt, superintendent for the Fayetteville School District.
Evan Ballowe, 24, of Fayetteville was arrested by federal authorities. He was being held in the Washington County jail, where he was booked at 11:58 p.m. Thursday.
Craig Stout, a Fayetteville police spokesman, said Ballowe's case is being handled by federal authorities and referred all questions to the U.S. attorney's office.
Ballowe teaches sixth-grade introduction to business communication and technology at Owl Creek Elementary. It is his third year teaching at Owl Creek, according to the school's website.
Hewitt sent a notification to parents about Ballowe's arrest. Ballowe was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, Hewitt said.
"We are fully cooperating with police in their investigation," Hewitt said in the notification.
Hewitt urged parents to watch over their children's Internet activity.
Hewitt told parents if they had any concerns regarding Ballowe's arrest or any other Internet safety issues they should contact the district's resource officers at 479-445-1195, 479-445-1296 or 479-445-1113.
Metro on 11/14/2015