A HIGH-SCHOOL sports teacher has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Christian G. Payton, 27, turned herself in on Wednesday, almost two months after police received a report alleging that an athletic trainer had sent sexually explicit images to a student.
Christina G. Payton, 27, is accused of having inappropriate relationship with a student Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office
The alleged offences took place while the suspect was working at Indian Creek High School Credit: Google Maps
Payton was employed at Indian Creek High School in Illinois at the time of the alleged offences.
She has now been charged with four felony counts of official misconduct and four felony counts of distributing harmful material to a minor.
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Payton also faces four misdemeanour counts of distributing harmful material to a minor.
The charges allege that she sent sexually explicit images of herself to a 17-year-old student while working as an athletic trainer, according to court documents.
She allegedly sent the images on April 2, 4, 7 and 11.
Payton was released under the Illinois SAFE-T Act, a 2021 criminal justice reform law that ended cash bail for defendants awaiting trial.
Under the terms of her release, she is prohibited from contacting the alleged victim or anyone under the age of 18.
She has also been ordered not to leave Illinois and must report to the court’s probation department.
Police stressed that the charges are only allegations and that Payton is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
In a statement, Indian Creek School District Superintendent Chad Willis described the allegations as “deeply concerning and disappointing”.
He told Shaw Local: “The safety and well-being of our students is and always will be our highest priority.
“Indian Creek School District is cooperating fully with law enforcement and the appropriate authorities as they conduct their investigation.”
Payton attended Rochelle Township High School and graduated in 2017.
Payton is due to appear in court on August 27.
