Teacher faces sex charges

Instructor quits at Chapel Hill school

A former social studies teacher at a Chapel Hill charter school was charged Thursday with 10 felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Jason Garant Perkins, 38, of 540 Sutter Gate Lane in Morrisville received and copied a digital image of two girls depicted in a sexual manner, according to an arrest warrant filed in Wake County. He is accused of receiving the image in December, which was during his employment at Woods Charter School.

Perkins taught middle school students before he abruptly resigned Wednesday -- a day before the charges were filed. Middle school at Woods includes fifth to eighth grades.

The State Bureau of Investigation charged Perkins after finding an image of the minors on his hard drive. It was in a folder that was labeled with his name, the warrant says.

Cotton Bryan, the school's assistant principal, said he did not know why Perkins resigned, but his resignation was accepted immediately. Bryan said he did not know whether Principal Simon King was aware of any investigation concerning Perkins. King is currently on leave.

Noelle Talley, a spokeswoman for the SBI, said Perkins' arrest is a result of an undercover operation by computer crime investigators. The investigation is continuing, she said.

Perkins began teaching at Woods on Aug. 1. He had previously worked at Moore Square Museums Magnet Middle School in Raleigh, Bryan said.

'A professional'

Perkins' conduct had not been a cause of concern at the school. There had been no reported complaints, Bryan said.

"He has always been a professional," Bryan said. "It's all been a big shock. It's such a small community, so something like this does have an impact."

The Woods school's Web site says 340 students in grades 1-12 are enrolled. The school has notified parents about the resignation of Perkins, Bryan said.

A woman reached at a number listed for Perkins declined to comment. No charges of sex crimes are listed on Perkins' criminal record.

Perkins was in the Wake County jail Thursday night with his bail set at $250,000.