Hamilton teacher resigns following arrest
- Phillips charged with sodomy, sexual abuse, attempted rape
Curtis Phillips
By TRACY ESTES
News Editor
HAMILTON - Members of the Marion County Board of Education have accepted the resignation of a math teacher at Hamilton High School less than 24 hours after his arrest.
Curtis Brandon Phillips, 36, Hamilton, was arrested at his home on Monday, Feb. 6. His resignation was accepted by the board of education in a called meeting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Currently in his third year as a teacher at the high school, Phillips has been charged with attempted rape, first-degree sodomy and first-degree sexual abuse.
He is currently being held at the Marion County Jail in Hamilton on a $550,000 bond. Marion County District Judge Mark Hammitte set the bond in a hearing held on Wednesday, Feb. 8.
In accepting his resignation, the school board would not field questions, instead issuing a statement regarding the turn of events.
In the brief statement, the school system stressed that the charges pending do not involve a student in the school system.
“We are not aware of any alleged incident occurring on any property of Marion County Schools or at any school event. He has resigned his teaching position with Marion County Schools. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement in every way.’’
Marion County Superintendent of Education Ryan Hollingsworth was attending a superintendents conference in Montgomery at the time the board accepted the resignation. However, Hollingsworth had been in contact with officials in Hamilton throughout the fast-paced process after news of Phillips’ arrest surfaced.
Marion County District Attorney Scott Slatton said his office could confirm there was an ongoing investigation.
But the district attorney said he could offer no further comment since the case was active. Slatton did confirm warrants had been issued for Phillips arrest.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Public Information Officer Johnathan Appling has responded to a request from the Journal Record regarding the case but was unable to provide any further details in the case.
“This arrest is the result of an investigation into what is believed to be an isolated incident involving a young child,’’ Appling said.
“No further information is available at this time.’’
Marion County Department of Human Resources Director Kier Vickery said the same, “Due to confidentiality, our office will not be able to comment on any case.’’
(When a defendant is charged with a crime, the charge is merely an accusation until or unless the defendant is proven guilty.)
