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Teacher accused of having sex with student

ETOWAH COUNTY, AL (WAFF) - An Etowah County high school teacher is in trouble after being accused of having sex with a student.  

26-year-old Nicholas Keith Smith is a teacher at Gadsden High School. Smith is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.

Officers say he also had obscene material of a minor under 17 years old.

Smith is charged with rape in the second degree and possession of obscene material. If Smith is convicted he could face up to 20 years in prison. 

"We are early in the investigation of this matter but the preliminary investigations seem to indicate that this was an isolated incident between Smith and the student," Etowah County District Attorney, Jimmie Harp said. "However this investigation is not over.  Other persons of interest are being interviewed at this time. If the investigation goes in a different direction, additional charges would be filed." 

Harp also said that the incidences happened after hours and not on the Gadsden City High Campus. 

"I appreciate the cooperation on the part of the school officials," said Harp. "Safety of the students at the school has been a paramount issue for the school and I am confident that they have proper safety measures in place." 

If anyone has any further information on this matter they should contact Detective Teri Ferris at the Gadsden Police Department at 549-3060.

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