Travis Gatling, a 28-year-old youth pastor at Jordan Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Winton, North Carolina, has been arrested and charged with taking indecent liberties with a student while serving as the band director at Hertford County High School.
A North Carolina band director and youth pastor has been charged by the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office with one felony count of indecent liberties with a student and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
According to investigators, Gatling was the band director at Hertford County High School at the time of the incident. Investigators said Gatling has been the band director and music teacher at the high school since October 2018.
Dexter Hayes, the sheriff of Hertford County Sheriff’s Office said that his office was notified by school officials regarding the allegations against Gatling. According to the sheriff, an investigation led investigators to obtain warrants on January 19 and Gatling was taken into custody at his home on Saturday, January 20.
According to Roanoke-Chowan News Herald, Gatling is accused of exchanging explicit photos and messages with the student in this case.Â
Herford County School officials said the parent of the victim notified them of Gatling alleged inappropriate behavior.
Gatling posted a $15,000 bond and made his first appearance in Hertford County District Court on Tuesday.
He has since submitted his resignation on January 21.
