HOT SPRINGS -- The recently retired principal of Lake Hamilton Middle School was charged Friday with felony counts of second-degree sexual assault and sexual indecency with a child.
Lester Dewayne Curry, 60, surrendered to authorities at his attorney's office. Bail was set at $7,500 and he was given a court date of June 20.
The charges allege that Curry had an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old female student at Lake Hamilton Middle School, according to a news release from the Garland County sheriff's office.
Second-degree sexual assault is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and sexual indecency is punishable by up to six years in prison.
Curry retired at the end of the 2015-16 school year.
"This is an ongoing investigation that has included the full cooperation of the Lake Hamilton Schools administration and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office," Sheriff Mike McCormick said. "If there is anyone with additional information, please contact investigators at the Garland County Sheriff's Office at (501) 622-3690."
McCormick said investigators with the Garland County sheriff's office executed a search warrant at Curry's residence on South Bumblebee Road in Glenwood, with assistance from the Montgomery County sheriff's office.
Lake Hamilton School District Superintendent Steve Anderson released a statement that said the school district was aware of the investigation and the arrest.
"The Lake Hamilton School District is cooperating fully with law enforcement investigators on this matter," the statement read. "Since this is an ongoing investigation, involves former school personnel, and because of a court gag order, the district is unable to comment further at this time."
Attorney Brent Miller said he has been retained by Curry and that Curry had cooperated with the investigation before Miller became involved in the case.
"He is a career educator and dearly loved principal," Miller said. "As for the charges, I will reserve comment until I can review what the evidence purportedly indicates. Obviously, we will plead not guilty at his upcoming arraignment."
Miller said Curry surrendered voluntarily to sheriff's investigators around 2 p.m. Friday at Miller's office.
Prosecuting Attorney Terri Harris said a gag order had been issued before Curry was arrested Friday. She noted that the gag order "had some specifics about what can and cannot be released prior to his arraignment in court."
Harris said much of the information contained in the affidavit couldn't be disseminated because it included sensitive material about a minor victim.
"The affidavit will have to be reviewed by the court and a lot will have to be redacted before it can be disseminated," she said.
Harris said the affidavit will likely be released after it has been reviewed and approved by the district court judge at Curry's arraignment.
State Desk on 06/04/2016