Local Driver’s Ed. Teacher Accused of Inappropriately Touching Student

A local driver’s education teacher faces serious charges after he was accused of inappropriately touching a student while on the job.

Nine On Your Side’s Philip Jones has more on the charges and the outpouring of support for the accused teacher.

For 54-year-old James Buck, his career as a driver’s ed. teacher came to an abrupt stop Friday, when Carteret County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested the Swansboro man and claimed he took advantage of a 15-year-old Croatan High School student during a driving lesson last Wednesday.

“It was something that was brought to the [school resource officer’s] attention from one of the students,” said Chief Deputy Ken Raper. “There were two students in the car, and one of them was inappropriately touched, and I think there were suggestive remarks made also.”

Buck was charged with sexual battery. He didn’t work for the school system, but instead was contracted through a Winterville-based company called North Carolina Driving School Inc.

The company says Buck – who worked there for nine years – has been fired.

The sheriff’s department says its investigation into the case is ongoing. And even though a magistrate saw fit to issue a warrant, not everyone believes the incident happened.

Dozens of community members spoke out in support of Buck on a local newspaper’s website.

Many called the accusations “ridiculous.”

“I don’t believe this” writes one poster. Another says Buck “would never hurt anyone.”

The sheriff’s department stands behind its investigation, though – and says until the matter is settled in court, Buck won’t be allowed on Carteret County school property.

Buck’s former employer says it may reconsider firing Buck if he is eventually found not guilty or the charges are dropped.

A Carteret County Schools spokeswoman says regardless of what happens in the case, the system has requested that Buck not be allowed to teach driver’s ed. in Carteret County again.