Teacher faces sex charges

A physical education teacher at Brentsville District High School has been charged with having sexual contact with two teenage students, police said Saturday.

Anthony K. Haywood, 27, of 10240 Launch Circle, Apartment 202, in Manassas, was arrested Friday at 2 p.m. at the Prince William County schools administrative office on Joplin Road, police spokeswoman Erika Hernandez said.

Detectives began investigating Wednesday after one of the teens filed a report with the school resource officer, Hernandez said.

Haywood is charged with having “inappropriate sexual contact” with two 16-year-old girls who attend Brentsville High School in Nokesville, Hernandez said. According to police, the incidents occurred after schools hours and did not happen on school grounds.

Dr. Robert Scott, Brentsville’s principal, said Haywood—a third year teacher—was placed on administrative leave Thursday morning.

“The superintendent’s staff and [county schools] Risk Management Office have been aware of this situation since it arose and did not hesitate to place Mr. Haywood on administrative leave when police investigators determined that there was enough evidence to pursue warrants,“ Scott wrote in a Saturday morning e-mail to students, parents and community members.

He said Brentsville’s guidance director and mental health team will meet with students in Haywood’s classes on Monday and Tuesday.

“I appreciate your support through this ordeal,“ Scott wrote. 

A few students mention Haywood on a Web site called “RateMyTeachers.com.“ One gave him top ratings, calling Haywood the best “badminton player EVA.“

But another writer called him moody and “against some students.“

“All we do is sit around for half an hour, then do a pointless activity. No structure or consistency. And sometimes I feel he abuses his power,“ the student wrote.

Haywood is charged with two counts of indecent liberties by a person in custodial or supervisory relationship. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. No court date has been set.

In August, a teacher at Bull Run Middle School was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of producing child pornography.

Prosecutors said John B. Shulick, 53, was arrested on the pornography charges after authorities discovered he was having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old Fairfax girl he met on the Internet.