Private Christian school coach accused of sex act with student

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A private Christian school coach in North Carolina is under scrutiny after being accused of engaging in a sex act with a student.

The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office announced that Samuel Jason Ingle, 51, has been arrested and charged with a felony in connection to the incident. According to arrest warrants, Ingle was a coach at Asheville Christian Academy at the time of the alleged offense on February 1, 2024. The document specifies that Ingle “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously” participated in a sex act with an 18-year-old student from the school.

Investigation and School Response

In April, an ACA staff member was placed on administrative leave as the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into the matter. Dr. William George, the head of school for ACA, addressed the situation in a statement at that time, stating, “We recently learned from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department about an investigation they are conducting regarding one of our staff members’ interactions with an Upper School student. The staff member is on leave and has not been on campus.”

Social media posts on ACA’s accounts indicated Ingle’s presence within the school community. While Ingle was featured in videos and posts in previous years, his name is no longer listed on ACA’s website under the staff and faculty section as of Friday.

Legal Proceedings and School Communication

Following his arrest, Ingle was taken into custody at the Buncombe County Detention Facility with a $10,000 secured bond. He appeared in court for the first time on Friday.

The Asheville Christian Academy communicated with parents and families on Friday regarding the situation. The school spokesperson shared, “We have been informed that Mr. Ingle was arrested on June 6 on charges of inappropriate relations with a student. The investigation is ongoing, and we will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement. At this time, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has not shared any new or relevant information with us.”

The school assured parents that Ingle’s employment had already been decided not to extend beyond his current contract and that he would not be on staff for the upcoming school year. His termination has been expedited in light of the recent events.

School’s Commitment to Student Safety

The Head of School, William George, expressed the school’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of students. He stated, “The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. We take any allegations seriously. Any misconduct is a glaring violation of our school’s mission and core values.”

ACA has been actively reviewing and enhancing its policies regarding student safety over the past year. The school will continue to assess and improve these policies with the guidance of legal counsel as needed.

Conclusion

The incident involving the private Christian school coach has raised concerns within the Asheville Christian Academy community. The school administration is working to address the situation and support all those affected by these events.