Robeson County teacher accused of sending inappropriate pictures and texts to a student

A Robeson County teacher was arrested Tuesday after accusations he sent inappropriate pictures and texts to a student at the school.

Wyvis Oxendine Jr., 34, of Pembroke is charged with second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, indecent liberties with a student and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

On Jan. 22, a staff member at Purnell Swett High School informed deputies of pictures and texts sent from a teacher to a student. Oxendine was suspended from the school.

Robeson County investigators have conducted several interviews and search warrants this past week, including a search of two homes connected to Oxendine. The sheriff’s office said he is suspended by the district.

“Robeson County Sheriff’s Office investigators and school resource officers have been monitoring social media sites and following up on information about allegations such as this,” Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said in a news release. “We are encouraging any student or former student who is a victim of sexual assault to contact our office and speak with our investigators.

“No student should not have to fear attending school or any other place because a person who is supposed to protect them is preying on them.”

The sheriff’s office said the magistrate released Oxendine with a $100,000 unsecured bond.

“To be clear, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office had no say in this suspect being released on an unsecured bond,” Wilkins said. “In fact, unbelievably, Oxendine did not complete his booking into the detention center due to being released to his attorney by a magistrate.

“The charges speak for themselves, as will the evidence in this case.”

The investigation is ongoing. The sheriff’s office said more charges are likely.

Anyone with information about the case or any other case is asked to call the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3170 or 910-671-3100.