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An assistant principal with Central Cabarrus High School in Concord, North Carolina, is now facing several charges after allegedly having sexual contact with students. Police say that 37-year-old Aaronson Franks had sex with one student multiple times at the end of the last school year and sex with another student this year. Each time, he is accused of having sex with the students on school grounds.
"It happened in a part of the building that was removed, where no one else had access," said Concord Police Chief Merl Hamilton.
Police in Concord say that one of the students is under the age of 16. The other student finished high school last year. Franks is charged with statutory rape, statutory sexual offense, activity with a student by an administrator, taking indecent liberties with a student and indecent liberties with children.
"I don't know that I can ever recall us having handled an assistant principal. It's very unusual. It's tragic. It's horrible," said Hamilton.
The investigation began last week when one of the parents came to police. Authorities are also wondering if there could be more victims of Franks' activity. The teacher has taught in Virginia, Florida and the Charlotte-Mecklenberg school system.
Franks has been arrested and was released from jail, after posting a $60,000 bond. The school has suspended him with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to the research paper, "Aggression and Violent Behavior," roughly 60 percent of statutory rape victims are aged 14 to 15 and 25 percent of the assailants are older than the age of 25. Most incidents are not reported, and in many cases, those committing the crime have obtained regular access to young people. Also, the problem is as old as sex itself. The "American Journal of Public Health," says that roughly 2/3 of the teenagers impregnated in 1993 had their children fathered by adult men.
The results of Statutory Rape can be devastating, including teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, drug abuse, higher dropout rates and depression. The damage that Assistant Principal Franks may have done to the children at his school could be permanent. At the same time, Franks is innocent until proven guilty. This fact should be kept in mind, since false rape allegations can tarnish a man's image for life.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (17)
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By: Ray Dishmon on 3/02/2010 9:49AM
What an idiot!
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By: MS PEGGY on 3/02/2010 10:14AM
This type of activity is so common in Mississippi and Tennessee where I'm from that this story probably wouldn't make the newspaper. Is the perp a coach or a former athlete?
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By: Corie on 3/03/2010 8:41AM
You are ignorant. I don't know any black people besides this man's momma that will support him. If you are not black stop speaking for us like you are an expert. His behavior, if guilty, which Im sure, he is is deplorable.
We don't protect the perp, we protect ourselves against other races making across the board judgements or comments. This is not a white or black issue, its just an issue.
Again you are ignorant!
Ignorance= racism
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By: nuffsd on 3/03/2010 8:49AM
Not defending the teacher, but the headlines read rape, but not the degree. Instead the headline should read statutory rape, their is a difference. But, all in all, whether consesual or not it is wrong. But, I understand media, it sounds better to just say rape, rather than statutory. When rape is more forceful and involuntary.
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By: Z on 3/04/2010 3:51AM
You are wrong. Statutory rape is just as violent as any other. It is a manipulation of a young mind. Statutory rape is an invasion of the mind and spirit as well as the body. Many young women never recieve treatment for this type of assault, because its underlying sentiment is that it was that "she wanted it" or "she initiated it". These girls need help so that they may grow to be (mentally) healthy mothers to future generations.
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By: jadina on 3/03/2010 9:46AM
what do you say about the white men that raped 8,9,10,11,12,13,14 year old black girls? you know storys like these give you half truths. and you its "rare" that a black man would do something as this. every since barack has gained office, the system has been targeting "black men" from every angle.
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By: diamond on 3/03/2010 9:57AM
terrible is all i can say he isnt the 1st and im quit sure there are more out there they just didnt catch up with them yet
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By: The _Truth on 3/03/2010 10:42AM
I hope that everyone doesn't turn on School Principals, Teachers and Caoches because fo this guys actions.
Not all teachers are sex offenders.
When the clergy sex scandals broke, folks began blame all priests and ministers for the sins of a few.
Let's not make wholesale statements about the entire group when it's really the sins and crimes of individuals.
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By: mike on 3/03/2010 11:08AM
I am from Mississippi. I know of 2 principals, several teaches, and coaches that have had babies by students. One student had an abortion because she was pregnant by the principal. One of the coaches ended up marrying one of the students. Only one of the coaches was sentenced. The others have not been reported. This is sad that students are being raped by their educators.
I recall one time I had a female student customer in my business. I look at the girl as she was a child. There were also 2 coaches at my business at the time. When the young girl left business, the coaches made some sexy remarks about the young girl. I told them she is only a child. They need to make an example out of these educators and give them some serious time.
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By: patti777 on 3/03/2010 12:04PM
I hope it's not true. But if this man is guilty, someone dropped the ball on the front end. In today's environment, screening teachers must include a psych exam and evaluation. Most police and fire departments have found these evaluations helpful in rooting out some potential abusers of the power that comes with those jobs. Teachers and school administrators are given full charge of our children for extended periods of time and should be more throroughly evaluated. Some of these sexual and power abusers can be screened out on the front end and we have to do a better job!
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