Robertsdale substitute teacher arrested for alleged relationship with 15-year-old student

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Jeremy Sparks, a substitute teacher at Robertsdale High School, has been arrested on charges related to an alleged inappropriate relationship with a fifteen-year-old female student.

On Dec. 6, the Robertsdale Police Department was contacted by a concerned citizen in reference to what they felt was a possible inappropriate relationship between a teacher at the Robertsdale High School and a female student. Through the investigation it was discovered that there had been an inappropriate relationship between a fifteen year old female student and Sparks.

““We were able to substantiate there was merit to this complaint,” RPD Lt. Rex Bishop said. “We arrested Robertsdale High School substitute teacher Jeremy Michael Sparks.”

Sparks had been a substitute teacher for less than a year and had been a volunteer coach for the football team.

Sparks, a 23-year-old Daphne resident, was arrested on the afternoon of Dec. 7 and charged with the following offenses: two counts of second degree sodomy, two counts of a school employee engaging in a sex act with a student under the age of 19 and one count of second degree sexual abuse.

The investigation revealed that these three offenses occurred off of the school grounds in different areas of Baldwin County. Bishop said the alleged relationship had been going on for about three months.

Superintendent Eddie Tyler said the system has a zero tolerance policy regarding such activities and he was thankful for the work of the police and district attorney’s office for their work on this case.

“We have zero tolerance for anyone who preys on children – an individual found guilty of such a heinous crime should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Tyler said. “We are entrusted with the lives of young people every day and our employees accept that honor and privilege very seriously. When that trust is violated, it is, in fact, a despicable crime that deserves swift and harsh consequences under the law. Substitutes and volunteer coaches are all background checked but unfortunately that’s not a predictor of future activity. My appreciation to Robertsdale Police and our judicial system for protecting children and seeing to it that those who prey on children are behind bars.”

District Attorney Bob Wilters said the investigation is ongoing and there may be additional charges.

“We’re still looking into a few things that we can not go into this time,” Wilters said.

Wilters said he was thankful for the citizen who came forward about the incident.

“We want to commend the citizen who came forward with the information that got the investigation moving forward,” Wilters said. “Without that, this might not have been discovered as soon as it was.”

The Robertsdale Police Department encourages any other citizens who may have information to contact them.