slideshow

Staff Report

Kentucky State Police Det. Kenny Abner served an arrest warrant Thursday for a former teacher and substitute teacher on sex crime charges allegedly involving a teenage boy.

Deron F. Saylor, 47, of Coldiron, was arrested by Trooper Kevin Miller at his home in Molus after he reported a burglary not knowing investigators had been at his home earlier to execute a search warrant. He found items disturbed and reported his residence had been burglarized.

The warrant resulted from an investigation of alleged inappropriate communication that began last November, police said.

The warrant charges that Saylor subjected a 14-year-old male to sexual contact while being a person in authority. It alleges Saylor knowingly used an electronic device system to communicate and induce the minor to engage in prohibited activities.

Also, Saylor allegedly sent obscene materials to the juvenile. It is further alleged he provided the minor with alcoholic beverages.

Saylor is charged with first-degree sexual abuse, unlawful use of electronic means, third-degree distribution of obscene matter to minors and unlawful transaction with a minor.

Saylor is a former teacher with the Harlan County Schools, previously working at Rosspoint Elementary School and most recently as a substitute teacher. An Internet search revealed he taught social studies to fourth- and fifth-graders while at Rosspoint.

Harlan County Schools Superintendent Mike Howard emphasized the school district is cooperating with the investigation, stating student safety is always the district’s top priority.

“Safety is our top priority for all our students,” said Howard. “I must refer any questions or specifics on the investigation to the Kentucky State Police.”

Howard confirmed Saylor had taught at Rosspoint, but added he was a casualty of budget cuts. He had substituted in the district following the loss of that position.

After receiving the burglary report, police, who had been searching for Saylor most of the afternoon, then arrived at the residence and took him into custody. He was transported by Miller to Post 10 where he was processed and later booked in the Harlan County Detention Center.

KSP Public Affairs Officer Shane Jacobs said Saylor possibly became acquainted with the boy while working as a substitute teacher in the county school system. Howard said he could not confirm or deny that information.

Saylor’s computers and electronics will be sent to the crime lab in Frankfort for analysis as part of the investigation, said Jacobs.

Jacobs said, and the superintendent confirmed, Saylor is no longer employed in the school system.

Saylor was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center, with bond set at $20,000 full cash.

Abner said Sgt. Jackie Pickrell, Trooper Danny Caudill, Harlan County Safe Schools Director Jim Middleton and the Cabinet for Families and Children assisted in the investigation.