NewsChannel 9 has confirmed that a former teacher at Rhea County Middle School has been indicted by a grand jury.
Investigator Rocky Potter of the Rhea County Sheriff's Office says the charges against 39-year-old Billy Hoffman include two counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and two counts of statutory rape.
"I was contacted by the principal at Rhea Middle School back in early May," said Potter. "He'd received information that there had been a possible inappropriate relationship with a teacher and a student."
NewsChannel 9 reported earlier this month resigned suddenly, before the school year ended. We were able to confirm that Hoffman was currently under investigation, but only learned today the nature of those charges.
Hoffman turned himself in to authorities Tuesday morning, where he later made bond.
Hoffman's arraignment will be this Friday.
This is a developing story. Depend on NewsChannel 9 to bring you updates as we get them.
Editors note: this story originally contained a typo that has since been corrected.
