Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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against a former Thomasville City Schools’ employee accused of having sexual relations with a student.
Stanford L. Ray, 50, of Browning Drive, allegedly had sex with a girl who was a 17-year-old student at Thomasville High School in 2006. According to Lt. Raymond Widener of the Thomasville Police Department, Ray is accused as being the father of a baby. The incident was brought to the attention of Thomasville police by the Davidson County Department of Social Services on behalf of the juvenile.
“Right now we are on the search for him,” Widener said Monday night. “I am extending an invitation for him to turn himself in.”
School officials said last week that he had been employed with the school system since August 2001, serving as an attendance counselor for all four city schools. He was dismissed by the school system in early January. Ray formerly coached girl’s basketball at Thomasville Middle School.
He was convicted in 1984 of misdemeanor of assault on a female, and in 1986, he was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to inflict serious injury. His sentence was probation. Then in 1982, he was charged and convicted for assault on a female. He was ordered to pay a $50 fine, plus court costs, $127 restitution for doctor bills and was told not to harass or threaten the victim
Despite awareness of some of his criminal background, school officials gave him another chance because of volunteer work in the community.
A press release issued Monday evening by Thomasville police said additional charges may be filed, pending further investigation. A press conference on the charges will be held Tuesday afternoon at the Thomasville Police Department.
Anyone with information leading to the arrest of Ray is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers of Thomasville at 476-TIPS.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.