Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

Login Options

9:38 a.m. • 2-12-12

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Clear.
    • Hi: 41° F
  • Mon: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 50° F
  • Tue: Rain.
    • Hi: 53° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Marketplace Links

Social Links

Main Menu

In Wake of Confession, More Allegations Surface Against Teacher


e-mail print friendly
Gary Lynn Powell, a music teacher with 15 years in the Wake County school system is charged with molesting one of his students.(WRAL-TV5 News)
Gary Lynn Powell, a music teacher with 15 years in the Wake County school system is charged with molesting one of his students.(WRAL-TV5 News)

A Wake County music teacheraccused of taking indecent libertieswith a student is facing more allegations.

Wake Forest Police were notified by school officials Thursday morning that more students have accused Gary Lynn Powell of molesting them.

This comes in addition to the 10-year-old girl at Wake Forest Elementary that Powell has confessed to molesting.

Police say the new students coming forward are also girls, between the ages of nine and 14.

Wake Forest Elementary Principal Craig Matthews says some of the alleged incidents happened after school and some happened during class time.

" ...improper touching, hugging, in that nature," says Matthews.

Earlier this week, Powell, 42, admitted he inappropriately touched a 10-year-old female student at Wake Forest Elementary.

Police say they were suspicious of Powell's quick confession. Now, three more girls from that school, plus one from Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School say they recall uncomfortable incidents with the teacher.

"There was, I think, some similarities to stories that we've already heard from the first young lady," says Matthews.

As a music teacher, Powell taught at more than one school in Wake County. In fact, during his 15-year tenure withWake County Public Schools, Powell has taught at 15 different schools.

The Wake County Schools did not require background checks of its employees when it hired Powell 15 years ago. Parents say that does not excuse the school system from doing it now.

"I know it has grown so much, but I think we need to back and get the teachers and start now and do those background checks," says parent Diane Smoke.

During his tenure with the school system there were no complaints filed against Powell, who resigned from his job withWake County Schoolson Monday.

On the one charge he has confessed to, Powell has been released on a $1,000 bond.

  • Reporter: Len Besthoff
  • Photographer: Terry Cantrell
  • Web Editor: Michelle Singer

RELATED TOPICS: Public Schools, Wake County, Wake Forest

e-mail print friendly

0 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments 0 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

View Comments 0 COMMENTS
Report It

Multimedia

Click Here