Ethel High School Band Director and General Music teacher Devin Morton has been placed on administrative leave, following questioning Wednesday by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.
Rachel Ring, public information officer for the A.G.’s office, declined to comment when contacted by The Star-Herald Friday.
“Our policy prevents us from confirming, denying or commenting on the existence or non-existence of any investigation by the office, “ she said.
According to local officials, however, investigators with the A.G.’s office arrived at Ethel High School around lunchtime Wednesday to question Morton in an ongoing investigation, the nature of which remains unclear.
“He was brought in for questioning. That’s all I can say right now,” said Sheriff Tim Nail. “This is their (the A.G.’s) case, but he was questioned at our office.”
Asked if Morton was placed under arrest in relation to the matter, Nail said, “not at this time.”
Attala County School Superintendent Bryan Weaver told The Star-Herald that the district is cooperating with the investigation and immediately placed Morton on administrative leave pending completion of the probe. When asked, he said a background check was performed on Morton before he was hired in August for the current school year.
“We’re cooperating with an ongoing investigation with the Attorney General’s office, but that’s about it,” Weaver said. “We’ll evaluated his (Morton’s) status based on the next couple of weeks (while school is out.)”
The Star-Herald will continue reporting on this story as more information becomes available.
