MCDONOUGH, Ga. — A former Henry County teacher accused of sexually molesting a student was sentenced to prison on Wednesday.
Ryan Harvey, a former orchestra teacher at Woodland High School in Stockbridge, Georgia, is accused of inappropriately touching one student and sending explicit photos to students.
The acts occurred in 2017 and involved 15 and 16-year-old students, authorities said.
According to police, a student said that Harvey told him in September 2017, "You're the only 15-year-old that I would **** with."
The student said that Harvey also sent messages through Snapchat. In October 2017, the student said Harvey sent a photo that showed a picture of a blue heart emoji with the caption, "Send Nudes." The picture was immediately followed by a comment from Harvey stating, "That wasn't for you."
Shortly after, the student reportedly received the same black screen and blue heart emoji with the caption, "Send Nudes" but this time, Harvey followed that picture with a message stating, "That WAS for you."
In early October 2017, Harvey allegedly would suggest to him that he should stay after school to "do the thing." When asked to clarify what he meant, Harvey reportedly replied with, "You know, the thing."
Harvey allegedly continued to send more lewd messages to the student.
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In November 2017, Harvey is accused of touching the student inappropriately twice.
The student then sent an anonymous email to the school resources officer and the principal. On Nov. 4, 2017, a search warrant was conducted at Harvey's home.
On Sunday, Jan. 4, 2018, Harvey was arrested.
Harvey initially pleaded not guilty in March 2018, but on Wednesday, he entered a guilty plea to one count of sexual assault of a student, one count of aggravated child molestation, two counts of sexual battery on a child under 16, and three counts of electronically furnishing obscene material to minors.
“Mr. Harvey used his position as a teacher to prey upon students. The families of these victims trusted Harvey to educate and mentor their children, and instead he took advantage of them,” District Attorney Darius Pattillo said in a news release. “The victims and their families are satisfied that he will spend close to the next two decades in prison."
In addition to the prison time, Harvey also must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and have no contact with the victims.
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