Employee at Sipsey Valley High Arrested for Sex With Student

An adult employee at Sispey Valley High School has been arrested and charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a student, according to jail records and a message from the Tuscaloosa County Superintendent.

The faculty member, 28-year-old Rodrique Peyton Ramzy Jr., was arrested Saturday by Tuscaloosa County sheriff's deputies and charged with three sex crimes, including second-degree rape, second-degree sodomy and having a sexual relationship with a student while employed by a school.

His consolidated bond was set at $15,000, and jail records indicate Ramzy had been released from the Tuscaloosa County Jail Sunday - state law does not allow the bond to be set higher and the charges do not meet the criteria for Aniah's Law, under which some violent offenders can be held without bond.

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In a Sunday email, Superintendent Keri Johnson said they could not disclose details of the case because of the active criminal investigation, but that any report of this kind of illegal relationship will be heard and taken seriously.

"The Tuscaloosa County School System has high expectations for all faculty and staff," she wrote. "We expect our employees to conduct themselves professionally and with honor. Please know that TCSS takes all reports of wrongdoing – whether by staff or students – seriously. TCSS cooperates with law enforcement and works to ensure all matters are appropriately resolved. The safety and well-being of students is our number one priority, at all times. "

Johnson also reminded parents and students that the anonymous Speak Up for Student Safety is available at all times tip via email, call or text - learn more about that initiative here.

For more coverage of news in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.