Fred T. Foard HS teacher, coach indicted on sex charges involving student

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A Catawba County high school teacher and coach is accused of sex offenses with a 15-year-old student.

Deputies arrested Jeb Stuart Bass Monday night. He is charged with one count of statutory rape and one count of sexual offense with a student.

A grand jury indicted Bass Monday on those charges.

The school district said Bass has been a history teacher at Fred T. Foard High School since August 2014. Bass also served as an assistant boys' basketball and assistant football coach, according to Catawba County Schools.

Students said they were stunned to hear the news about his arrest.

"He was our basketball coach for a little bit," student Destiny Summers said. "He was a good guy, honestly. I don't think he would do this."

"It's hard to believe. We saw cops yesterday and everybody was wondering what was going on," student Gary Hicks said.

(Click PLAY to watch Jeb Bass make first court appearance)

Deputies said they were alerted to a possible problem this week and worked on the case for the last 24 hours, hoping to learn more about the allegations.

"We know of at least one victim," said Catawba County sheriff's Capt. Jason Reid. "We are going to be bringing in some other people to interview but at this time it is just one person."

Catawba County Schools superintendent Dr. Matthew Stover suspended Bass with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. Stover said he will notify Bass that he intends to recommend to the Catawba County Board of Education that Bass be dismissed and suspended without pay until the board rules on Stover's recommendation.

It’s not clear where the alleged sex offenses happened, but investigators don't believe it happened on campus.

Bass appeared in court on Tuesday. A judge raised his bond from $36,000 to $75,000.

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