Teacher quits amid sex probe

By BELTON WHITE
Item Staff Writer
bwhite@theitem.com

A Lakewood High School teacher has resigned as officials investigate a possible sexual relationship between him and a 16-year-old female student.

Edward Antonio "Tony" Hubbard, 33, of 4660 Peach Orchard Road in Dalzell, a former physical education and driver's education teacher, resigned effective Wednesday, according to Superintendent Dr. J. Frank Baker.

A 35-year-old woman reportedly told investigators that Hubbard has been having sexual intercourse with her 16-year-old daughter for the past year, according to a police report.

The 16-year-old reportedly admitted to having sex with Hubbard and that he had given her shots of blueberry Smirnoff vodka while she was at his house.

Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said Thursday that his office received the complaint Wednesday and is currently investigating.

"All I can comment on at this time is that we have received a complaint on allegations that there was sexual intercourse with the student," Dennis said. "A complaint has been filed with our office, and we are investigating."

Baker said he notified the sheriff's office after conducting his own investigation, but he said he could not release details about what he found out.

"I can't say anything that might hinder or interfere with their investigation," the superintendent said Thursday night.

Hubbard had been with the district for 10 years and had taught at Lakewood for three, according to Baker. He had previously worked for Ebenezer Middle and Crestwood High schools, in addition to serving as the physical education teacher for a couple of elementary schools.

On Thursday, Baker said that Wednesday was the first time he or Lakewood Principal Sherrill Ray had heard about the incident.



"That information came to me yesterday afternoon, around 2:30 p.m., and I immediately went out to the school to investigate. And I did meet with the student, parents and the teacher," he said. "That was the first knowledge that I had of it."

According to Lakewood's football Web site, lakewoodfootball.net, Hubbard was an offensive coordinator for the school's varsity football team.

Attempts to reach Hubbard for comment were unsuccessful.