Rachelle Terry raped student and gave alcohol to children: cops

Rachelle Louise Terry (Murray County Sheriff’s Office)

A 43-year-old Georgia school administrator is accused of giving alcohol to children and raping at least one minor.

DR Rachelle Louise Terryof Chatsworth, Georgia, turned himself in to authorities late last month and was charged with one count of statutory rape, two counts of child molestation and 10 counts of supplying alcohol to minors, authorities said.

according to a press release by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the allegations of supplying alcohol to minors stem from an investigation into allegations that Terry gave adult beverages to children “during a Halloween party earlier this year”.

A subsequent investigation into these allegations, conducted by the Conasauga County District Attorney’s Office, allegedly found that Terry had a “sexual relationship” with a college student. The DA’s office then requested the assistance of GBI special agents to continue the investigation into Terry.

The investigation into Terry – the director of federal programs for the Murray County school district – and the alleged Halloween party began on November 9, according to a report of the Dalton Daily Citizen.

Information on the ages of the minors whom Terry allegedly raped and the ages of the students to whom she allegedly gave alcohol has not been released. The age of consent in Georgia is 16.

Murray County Sheriff Jimmy Davenport reportedly told the newspaper that he was contacted by the county school principal about the party. Steve Loughridgeafter at least one parent filed a grievance about the holiday gathering. Due to a potential conflict of interest, the sheriff’s office reportedly asked officers from the Conasauga County Attorney’s Office to take over the investigation.

Davenport reportedly said the conflict of interest arose because the sheriff’s office had provided school resource officers (SROs) for the school district.

“Sheriff Davenport asked me to take the lead, so my Murray County investigator conducted this investigation and filed these charges,” the Conasauga district attorney said Bert Post allegedly said. “The GBI will not intervene in these circumstances to investigate the misdemeanor charges, so we have agreed to look into that after the initial complaint is received.”

Poston reportedly declined to give further details on the matter, citing the ongoing investigation.

Derichia Lyncha communications director for the school district, reportedly said Daily Citizen that Terry was placed on paid administrative leave from her position immediately upon her return from Thanksgiving. Lynch further explained that Terry, a 22-year district veteran who earns approximately $110,000 a year, is still under contract with the district and her salary cannot be withheld pending a formal hearing on the matter.

An unnamed spokesman for the district reportedly provided a separate statement Statement to WTVC, a subsidiary of Chattanooga Fox.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the criminal charges filed against our employee,” the statement said. “These are extremely serious allegations. The safety and welfare of our students is always a top priority for Murray County Schools.”

The county did not immediately respond to a message from Law&Crime asking for more details.

The GBI urged anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact the Calhoun office at 716-624-1424.

[image via Murray County Sheriff’s Office]

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