A former teacher accused of sexual misconduct with a student at her Arkansas home entered a not-guilty plea Thursday.
Carlton James Bailey Jr., 26, faces a charge of first-degree sexual assault. The allegations involve an 18-year-old who was a student in Bailey's sociology class at Texas High School in January, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The student told authorities that Bailey was flirtatious with her and that the two began exchanging messages via Instagram and SnapChat.
The teen told investigators that she gave Bailey her address in Texarkana, Ark., and that Bailey came to visit her that night about 11:30 p.m. while the other adults in the home were sleeping.
The affidavit states that she described a somewhat forcible encounter that included sexual contact.
Authorities said Bailey denied ever being at the teen's home or knowing where she lives when first interviewed by Texarkana investigators.
After being warned that investigators intended to review video surveillance footage from nearby businesses and have the Police Department's Crime Scene Investigation unit process the student's room for evidence, Bailey confessed, court documents show.
In a previous interview, Texarkana, Texas, Independent School District spokeswoman Tina Veal Gooch said Bailey's employment with the school district ended June 30. It is illegal for a person employed as a teacher in a public or private K-12 school to engage in sexual contact with a student regardless of the student's age.
Bailey faces six to 30 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000.
Bailey is free on a $15,000 bond. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Brent Haltom. Bailey is scheduled to return to court Oct. 2.