Asheville Christian Academy Dean Arrested for Sexual Act with Student

By Ryley Ober

ASHEVILLE – An Asheville Christian Academy employee was arrested June 6 and charged with engaging in a sexual act with a student at the school, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.

Allegations Against Dean of Spiritual Formation

Detectives with the Major Case Unit at the sheriff’s office arrested Samuel Jason Ingle, 52, of Black Mountain, for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with an 18-year-old student in February, according to his arrest warrant and a news release from the sheriff’s office. According to the sheriff’s office, the relations happened when the student was a juvenile.

Ingle was a coach at Asheville Christian Academy in Swannanoa, the warrant said. However, the school’s website previously said he was the “Dean of Spiritual Formation” before his name was taken off the faculty list online.

School Takes Action

In an email sent to parents and families, Head of School William George said, “a former upper school employee, Jason Ingle” had been arrested. The school “will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement,” George said.

The school “had already determined” to end Ingle’s employment after his existing contract, which ends before the next school year in the fall, according to the communications. However, Ingle’s “termination has now been made effective immediately,” George said.

“We want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority,” George told parents. “We take any allegations seriously. Any misconduct is a glaring violation of our school’s mission and core values.”

George said the school is committed to sharing more information with parents as it is available.

Legal Proceedings

After his arrest, Ingle was placed at the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $10,000 secured bond, the sheriff’s office release said. He had a court date of June 7 and is no longer listed as an inmate on the jail’s online database.

“He is not currently in custody,” Sheriff spokesperson Christina Esmay told the Citizen Times June 7. “He posted bail and was released to a bondsman earlier today.”

The investigation remains open, according to the sheriff’s office. “Detectives with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit work diligently to address these crimes against persons, protect the residents of Buncombe County, and seek justice for survivors of sexual assault,” the release said.

Seeking Information and Support

If anyone has further information regarding this crime, please email the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Tipline at RTIC@buncombecounty.org. Anyone who has been a victim of a sex crime, please contact the Family Justice Center at 828-250-6900 or Our Voice at 828-252-0562 for help and support.

This story will be updated.

More: Police: Buncombe special student assistant took indecent liberties with child; out of jail

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober