BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–A former assistant principal of Goose Creek High will spend one year behind bars after pleading guilty to having sex with a 16-year-old student. Paul Herman, 37, of Moncks Corner began serving his sentence on Friday.
Court records show that he was given credit for time already served on the sexual battery charge. Following his release, he will remain on probation for six months under house arrest. His release will also include necessary counseling. He will not be required to register as a sex offender.
In February 2015, detectives with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office as well as a member of the U.S. Marshal’s Joint Criminal Apprehension Team, arrest Herman at his home following an investigation into allegations that he had an illicit sexual relationship with a female student at Goose Creek High School.
According to law enforcement, after discovering text messages on the victim’s cell phone and questioning the victim, her parents’ determined that she had been having an illicit relationship with Herman since December 2014.
The victim’s parents then filed a report with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, which came to the attention of the commander of the Criminal Investigations Division.
Herman later resigned from his job.
About six months after Herman’s arrest, the teen’s family sued the Berkeley County School.
The suit claimed gross negligence on the part of the district and that it caused “severe emotional distress” by failing to report, investigate or communicate Herman’s alleged misconduct to the district’s superintendent or to law enforcement. The teen’s family also accused the district of failing to report Herman’s conduct to law enforcement or the superintendent.
Prior Stories:
- Berkeley Co. School District Sued After Assistant Principal Accused Of Sex With Student
- Berkeley Co. Superintendent Responds To Goose Creek Assistant Principal’s Arrest
- Goose Creek High Assistant Principal Arrested For Sexual Relationship With Student
