Chowan County deputy indicted on sex charges with student

EDENTON, N.C.

A Chowan County deputy was indicted by a grand jury on charges of sexual offense and indecent liberties with a student, tied to when he was a school resource officer, according to a news release from the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office.

William G. Whitehurst, 47, was indicted Monday and charged with three counts of second-degree sexual offense, three counts of indecent liberties with a student and three counts of sexual activities with a student, the news release said. 

Whitehurst, a 21-year veteran with the Chowan County Sheriff's Office, worked as a school resource officer at John A. Holmes High School until 2007, said District Attorney Frank Parrish. The alleged incidents were said to have occurred in fall 2005.

Parrish said that the allegations were made by a female who was a 17-year-old high school senior at the time. The report was made to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation office in Elizabeth City this past summer.

In the news release, Sheriff Dwayne L. Goodwin said that he learned of the allegations from agents in October. Since then, he said, his office has fully cooperated with state officials.

Whitehurst has been placed on administrative leave, pending an internal investigation. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 4.