RANDOLPH COUNTY, Ala. — A Randolph County High School teacher is facing numerous felony charges for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student.
Wedowee police said last week they were alerted to a possible inappropriate relationship between a teacher, 30-year-old David Burkhalter, and a 15-year-old girl.
“The Wedowee Police Department along with the assistance of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department and Clay County Sheriff’s Department immediately initiated an investigation,” authorities said in a release. “Investigators determined the accusations were credible and that probable cause existed for an arrest.”
Burkhalter surrendered Wednesday and is being held in the Randolph County Jail on eight felony charges including rape, sodomy, enticing a child, electronic solicitation of a child for sex and school employee sex act with a student less than 19 years of age. His bond has set to $1.5 million.
Burkhalter is an Ashland resident and former well-known radio personality for Kowaliga Country 97.5 FM and former co-host of “The Front Porch” on WAXC-TV based in Alexander City. Kowaliga Country is owned and operated by Lake Broadcasting Inc. which is also the parent company of B101 WFEB in Sylacauga.
“Lake Broadcasting is aware of the events of today surrounding a former LBI employee, David Burkhalter,” said John F. Kennedy, President of Lake Broadcasting. “David left our company last summer around eight months ago and has had no involvement in any of our operations since that time. We considered David a satisfactory employee for the several years he was here. We are shocked and saddened by these events and offer our sympathies to the families involved as the legal system works through these charges. We will let the legal process take its course and pray for all the people involved in the serious matter.”
“Law enforcement is working alongside the Office of the District Attorney and the Randolph County School Board to ensure all pertinent steps are taken to ensure a thorough investigation and a successful prosecution of this matter,” authorities said. “Anyone who has any information regarding this investigation, please notify your local law enforcement agency. This investigation is open and ongoing. For future updates please contact the Randolph County District Attorney’s Office.”
According to the school website, Burkalter teaches geometry and algebra.
SylacaugaNews.com will continue to update this story as more details are provided.
Story via WVTM 13 News.
