Across the county line, Town of Erwin Police Chief Regan Tilson announced Monday that a substitute teacher/drum instructor at Unicoi County High School was arrested due to “inappropriate behavior” with a 16-year-old student.
According to information received from the Erwin Police Department Monday afternoon, Justin Curtis Grindstaff, 35, of Elizabethton, was arrested and charged with two counts of statutory rape by an authority figure.
Regan stated the department received information about the inappropriate behavior on August 8, which was followed up by an investigation performed by the police department with assistance coming from Unicoi County Director of Schools John English and UCHS principal Chris Bogart.
The investigation, which took place August 10, confirmed the relationship with Grindstaff being interviewed that same day.
“The suspect was interviewed (August 10) at the school, properly mirandized and during the interview, admitted to having a relationship with the juvenile student to include sexual contact,” Tilson said.