Former Teacher Indicted for Texts to Student

A former Carlisle County teacher was in court Thursday facing charges related to a suspected relationship with a student.

The Carlisle County Circuit Court Clerk confirmed that Zachary Sims was indicted by a Grand Jury on charges of using an electronic device to induce a minor to engage in sex, tampering with evidence, and official misconduct. Judge Tim Langford presided over the court proceedings.

Police say they received a tip March 11 that Sims, who was a teacher at Carlisle County middle and high schools, was involved in a relationship with a 17-year-old student. An investigation began and Sims resigned from his teacher's position shortly thereafter.

Police say they uncovered evidence that Sims and the student had exchanged sexually explicit text messages over the course of several months.

Sims turned himself in to police April 4. 

His pretrial hearing is set for July 20.