LEXINGTON, S.C. — A teacher at Lexington School District One's White Knoll High School was arrested on and charged with criminal solicitation of a minor.
Timothy Cole Garrison was taken into custody on Friday, February 9, 2024.
The arrest warrant issued by the Lexington County Sheriff's Department states that, on or about November 8, 2023, Garrison committed the offense by "knowingly communicating with a person who he reasonably believed to be under the age of eighteen, for the purpose of or with the intent of persuading, inducing, enticing or coercing the person to engage in sexual activity." Specifically, the warrant said Garrison was in contact with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old female that he met through the Bumble dating app and Kik social media site. He and the teenager allegedly discussed having oral sex.
Officials at Lexington School District One sent out the following message to district employees, parents and guardians of students at White Knoll over the weekend:
"As part of a law enforcement investigation into internet crimes against minors, a teacher at White Knoll High was arrested on Friday. We have no indication that the charges are connected to any Lexington One students. The teacher has been placed on administrative leave, and district and school officials are cooperating fully with law enforcement."
Garrison was held at the Lexington County Detention Center until a bail hearing. He was released on a $5,000 surety bond.
