FROM STAFF REPORTS 

A North Iredell High School teacher faces a felony charge following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of John Dean Woody, 23, in a news release Wednesday.

Woody, who was hired by Iredell-Statesville Schools as a science teacher in September, has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of the criminal investigation, district officials announced later Wednesday. 

The ICSO began investigating on Wednesday after receiving a report that a North Iredell High teacher was communicating inappropriately with a student, Campbell said.

The school resource officer at the school was made aware of the information and immediately notified ICSO investigators.

Detective Sergeant Katie Harwell and Detective Cody James, who are assigned to the ICSO Special Victims Unit, responded to the school and spoke with administrators and witnesses, according to the news release.

During the investigation, detectives gathered information that Woody, who lives in Elkin, had exchanged messages of a sexual nature with a student, Campbell said.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Woody with felony indecent liberties with a student.

Wood was arrested and taken to the Iredell County Magistrate’s Office, where Magistrate Nethken issued a $25,000 secured bond.