3 students accuse Fayetteville teacher of sending inappropriate pictures, messages
A South View High School teacher and soccer coach has been accused of sending sexually suggestive pictures and messages to three students over cellphones and the internet.
Dmitri Pelaez has been placed on paid administrative leave from the Cumberland County school system.
“Right now, we’re conducting interviews,” Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Sean Swain said. “We’re going to have to look at the social media that’s on the phone itself, and it’s just going to take a little bit of time to make sure that we do what we need to do and not make any false accusations.”
No one answered Pelaez’s door Wednesday.
In an exclusive interview this week, the father of the first accuser said Pelaez sent pictures of his genitals to his daughter over Snapchat. Pelaez allegedly asked her to send him pictures of herself that showed skin.
The incidents allegedly started in the middle of October. The father said he learned about them Friday and filed a complaint with the school and the sheriff's office.
No charges have been filed against the coach.
“If the accusation is made and the evidence supports the accusation,” Swain said, “it’s going to be felony exploitation of a minor.”
The sheriff’s office is waiting to interview students before deciding whether charges should be filed.
The first interview will take place Nov. 28.
Pelaez, who joined the school system in August, has hired an attorney.
