Starkville Police arrested a former Armstrong Middle School science teacher Wednesday for allegedly attempting to entice a child.
SPD, with assistance from the U.S. Marshal Task Force, arrested 37-year-old Lacey McBeath, of Columbus, on felony warrants issued for enticement of a child to meet for sexual purposes and enticement of a child to produce visual depiction of sexual conduct.
According to an affidavit The Dispatch obtained through a public records request, McBeath texted a child in November and December 2017, both for the purpose of meeting to engage in sexual activity and to produce a visual depiction of the activity.
The Dispatch requested information about McBeath on Dec. 13, 2017, after unconfirmed reports he was escorted from Armstrong Middle School during school hours. At the time, SPD couldn’t confirm a response to the school. Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District declined to comment, citing the matter as a personnel issue.
SOCSD Public Information Officer Nicole Thomas confirmed to The Dispatch on Wednesday that McBeath is no longer employed with the school district. She said McBeath was hired last summer to teach eighth grade science and was in his first semester on the faculty.
McBeath is out of the Oktibbeha County Jail after posting $50,000 bond. He’s next scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 12.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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