A former teacher from South Carolina has admitted to harassment after sending more than 60 love letters to a student he stalked.
According to FOX Carolina, 27-year-old Dylan Robert Dukes confessed in court on Wednesday to reaching out to the victim after she left Starr Elementary School located in Anderson County.
Upon discovering that she would no longer be attending the school, Dukes decided to join her church.
His concerning behavior included sending love letters, providing gift cards, giving gifts, and offering “unwanted” hugs, which initiated in 2023.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office reported that during a search of Dukes’ classroom, they discovered photographs of the child, though none were of a sexual nature.
By July 2024, the victim’s mother expressed that her daughter had grown uneasy as Dukes began appearing at events where he was not welcome.
“My child has had to endure moments of uncomfortability in places like church, school and sports, where my child should be comfortable and able to enjoy being a child,” the mother said.
Investigators said Dukes had been stalking the victim since August 2023 and that his behavior had been “leading toward criminal sexual conduct.”
“Detectives were able to stop the harassment and stalking before it became anything physical ― which the juvenile was in fear of,” a news release by the sheriff’s office stated.
Police then arrested Dukes and charged him with stalking.
During Wednesday’s plea hearing, Dukes pleaded guilty to first-degree harassment. A judge sentenced to him to three years behind bars, which was suspended to five years of probation.
He’s also required to surrender his teaching certificate, undergo mental health counseling. The judge also approved a permanent restraining order, which prohibits any contact with the victim.
According to NBC 4, Starr Elementary named Dukes “teacher of the year” for the 2023-2024 school year.
[Feature Photo: Dylan Dukes/Anderson County District 3]
