DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Police arrested an assistant principal after some teachers accused him of touching them inappropriately at work.
Dr. Samuel Wilder is facing three charges: aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, and simple assault.
Wilder is an assistant principal at Lithonia Middle School in DeKalb County.
He won’t be at the school for a while because the district placed him on paid leave as soon as two teachers came forward accusing him of forcing them to have sex with him inside the school and touching them inappropriately in the building.
Fernandes went to Wilder’s house to get his side of the story, but when she rang his doorbell no one came to the door.
She spoke to his neighbor, Jimmy Moses, who has known him for close to 10 years.
“It would shock me if that is true, because he just don’t seem like he’s that type of guy,” he said.
Fernandes also spoke to some parents who were shocked to hear about these allegations.
“Just because you have power over somebody, authority, that doesn’t give you the right to do that, especially in the education system. This is where children are being taught,” parent Dorothy Jones said.
According to jail records, Wilder bonded out of jail and is now awaiting his day in court.
In a statement, the school district told Fernandes:
“The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) takes staff allegations very seriously and prioritizes the safety and well-being of our students and staff above all else. After receiving reports of possible inappropriate actions on the part of Mr. Samuel Wilder, an assistant principal at Lithonia Middle School, detectives from the DCSD Police Department promptly launched an investigation.
“Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the district followed appropriate protocols and procedures and placed Mr. Wilder on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which has uncovered evidence that has led to his arrest.
“No students were found to have been involved in these allegations, and DCSD school and District personnel continue to cooperate in this ongoing investigation fully.”