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Arrest sparks resignation of Flat Rock teacher

Accused of sending explicit e-mails to 15-year-old girl

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizen.com

A teacher at Flat Rock Middle School has resigned after he was arrested for having sexually explicit conversations via e-mail with a 15-year-old Tyrone girl, police said.

Phillip Bates, 33, of 110 Hunterian Place, Newnan, was charged with having obscene internet contact with a child, which is a felony.

According to warrants for his arrest, police said Bates “engaged in sexually obscene conversation with the victim” via e-mail that contained language referring to “sexual conduct and sexual excitement.”

Bates resigned Monday, said school spokesperson Melinda Berry-Dreisbach. He taught seventh-grade social studies and also was an assistant coach for football and soccer at Sandy Creek High School, she said.

Bates had been with the school system for about five years, Berry-Dreisbach added.

The warrants for Bates’ arrest were taken by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. The incidents occurred between December 2004 and January 2005, police said.

Chief Magistrate Charles R. Floyd Jr. set Bates’ bond at $15,000.