VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A now former security assistant at Salem Middle School is in custody on several charges relating to an alleged sexual encounter with a minor.
10 On Your Side’s Jason Marks confirmed that Rapheal Shields, 24, has been charged with carnal knowledge (intercourse), possession of drugs, possession of drugs with a firearm and electronic means for procuring minors for obscene material.
The alleged crimes happened back on Nov. 24, 2018, between 2:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., according to Virginia Beach police, when Shields was employed with Virginia Beach City Public Schools as a security assistant. Other details regarding the incident have not been released, including whether the minor was a Salem Middle student.
Parents we spoke to were shocked to hear of the charges.
“It’s awful, obviously. I just would’ve never thought it would’ve happened,” Terron Moore said.
“It’s scary. I have an 11-year-old child in there. It’s scary,” Ashley Johnston said.
Police emphasized that Shields was not a student resource officer (SRO) and not employed by local law enforcement. He served in that assistant role from February 2017 to November 26, 2018.
The school’s principal, James Smith, announced that Shields had been arrested in a message to the school community on Friday.
In the message, Smith said he couldn’t comment further on the details on the case, but said Shields is no longer employed by the school district and that “VBCPS immediately investigated and notified police” after hearing the allegations of misconduct.
“The safety and security of our students is of utmost importance to us, and we take this responsibility very seriously,” Smith said in a statement. “We have been and will continue to work closely with police in support of their investigation.”
Here’s Smith’s alert message to the school community:
Good afternoon, Salem families. This is Dr. Smith, Principal of Salem Middle School. I am calling to make you aware that one of our school security assistants has been arrested for a number of charges, including inappropriate relations with a minor. While I am limited in what I can share because this is an ongoing police matter, I do want you to know we have been and will continue to work closely with police in support of their investigation. I also want to assure you that we have taken the appropriate action here at the school level and the security assistant no longer is an employee of VBCPS. Thank you for your understanding and your continued support of Salem Middle School.
Parents said they’ll be talking to their children about what allegedly happened.
“I know now that there is the possibility to happen anywhere,” Moore said.
Shields is currently being held without bond and declined a request for an interview.
10 On Your Side is working to find out other details in the case. Stay tuned for updates.