A Parkwood Elementary School third-grade teacher in Jacksonville, North Carolina, has been arrested and charged with indecent exposure after allegedly exposing himself to a child. According to a press release issued by the Jacksonville Police Department on Friday, March 9, officers received a report on Tuesday, March 6, that an adult male had exposed his genitals to a child on Bracken Place.
After investigating the incident, detectives identified the offender as 49-year-old Gregory James Morris, who resides on Bracken Place. Morris was arrested and charged on Friday, March 9, with one count of indecent exposure.
Following Morris’ arrest, Onslow County Schools Chief Communications Officer Brent Anderson confirmed that Morris was employed at Parkwood Elementary and was suspended with pay pending the outcome of an investigation.
The school and district administrators have been cooperating with law enforcement on their investigation and will continue to work closely with the Jacksonville Police Department and the district attorney’s office. Anderson issued a statement saying, “Onslow County Schools maintains high standards for all our employees, and this alleged behavior stands in stark contrast to our expectations. Greg Morris began working for OCS on Nov. 28, 2016, as a 4th-grade teacher at Parkwood Elementary. In his time at the school, Morris has also taught 2nd and 3rd grades. He has been on paid leave from the school since March 13, 2023.”
It’s worth noting that this is not the first time Morris has faced legal trouble for indecent exposure. In 2006, Morris, who served as assistant principal at North Brunswick High School at the time, was arrested after two people spotted a man exposing and touching himself on the eighth-floor balcony of the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel, according to the Wilmington Star News. Morris was charged with indecent exposure and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The outcome of the case in New Hanover County is unknown at this time.
In the recent case involving Morris, Anderson clarified that Morris’ actions did not occur at the school and were not related to his work at Parkwood. Despite this, Morris’ arrest has caused concern among parents in the community, many of whom expect teachers to uphold the highest standards of conduct when working with children.
The case against Morris is ongoing, and it is unclear what the outcome will be. However, if convicted of indecent exposure, Morris could face significant legal consequences, including fines, probation, and possibly even jail time.
