A band director who worked with middle and high school students in Arkansas has been arrested after authorities say he sexually assaulted a teenager. Police also allege that he later begged the teen’s mother not to contact authorities after she learned about the incident.
The Fort Smith Police Department said officers launched an investigation after receiving a tip on March 9 that James Palmer allegedly had inappropriate contact with a student on February 28, according to 5NEWS.
Palmer, 40, was fired by the Fort Smith School District on Wednesday, March 11. Police then booked him into the Sebastian County Detention Center on Thursday, March 12, on a charge of second-degree sexual assault, according to authorities.
Officials initially held him on a $150,000 bond, but he was released just hours after the arrest. Palmer is scheduled to appear in court next on Wednesday, March 18.
Authorities have not confirmed whether Palmer has entered a plea or hired legal representation following his arrest. The Fort Smith Police Department did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the case.
However, court documents obtained on Friday, March 13, state that the alleged victim’s mother confronted Palmer several days before authorities received the tip, according to 5NEWS. Police say he reportedly “begged her not to report the incident” and claimed he would resign and move away.
The district told the outlet that the school board held a special meeting the day before Palmer’s arrest and unanimously voted to terminate his contract.
Palmer previously served as the band director at Chaffin Middle School and Southside High School. The district confirmed that the contract termination took effect immediately and that he was removed from his position.
Court records also noted that Palmer served as a mandated reporter, according to the outlet.
Although a district spokesperson said officials could not comment directly on personnel matters, they did release a statement addressing the situation.
“There is nothing more important than the safety of all students, and we take every allegation of inappropriate behavior seriously,” the spokesperson told 5NEWS. “We thoroughly investigate all allegations and determine next steps based on the results of the investigation.”
In addition to Palmer’s arrest and termination, his wife, Jessica Palmer, was also dismissed by the Fort Smith School Board following a 7–0 vote during a special meeting held on March 13.
The district said she previously worked as a teacher at Sunnymede Elementary before her termination.
Fort Smith Public Schools confirmed Jessica’s dismissal to 5NEWS, stating, “There is nothing more important than the safety of all students, and we take every allegation of inappropriate behavior seriously. We thoroughly investigate all allegations and determine next steps based on the results of the investigation.”
“While we cannot comment on personnel matters, we can confirm that the Fort Smith Board of Education met this evening during a special meeting and voted unanimously to terminate its contract with Jessica Palmer, who served as a teacher at Sunnymede Elementary, effective immediately,” the statement added.