School employees, police officer arrested on child pornography charges

ALICEVILLE, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) – Five people, including four school faculty members and one police officer, have been arrested and are facing charges related to child sexual abuse material, according to authorities.

Pickens County District Attorney Andrew Hamlin said his office is conducting investigations along with Aliceville police, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations in Birmingham.

The investigations have led to the arrest of three members of the Aliceville High School faculty, one Aliceville Elementary School faculty member and one Aliceville police officer.

Hamlin said Wednesday all five suspects are being held in the Pickens County Jail.

Teacher Roderick Granger, 41, was arrested Jan. 30 on multiple charges related to child pornography. The jail record listed Granger’s charges as possession of child pornography, failure to report and an ethics violation.

Court records confirmed another teacher, Antavious Belgrave, 28, was arrested by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and charged with three counts of failure to report, three counts of sexual misconduct and three counts of ethics violations. He also faces additional felony charges, including one for indecent exposure and three counts of distributing a private image.

Aliceville Police Chief Tonnie Jones released a statement after Gary was placed on leave, saying the department was aware of the accusations against him.

Aliceville Police Chief Tonnie Jones released a statement after Gary was placed on leave, saying the department was aware of his accusations.

“The allegations against Officer Gary are serious, and the matter is currently under investigation by the appropriate authorities,” the statement reads. “In accordance with departmental policy, Officer Gary has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Jones said the department remains committed to professionalism, accountability and maintaining public trust and will cooperate with the investigating agency.

Jail records show Lakethia Wilkins and Winton Bishop are also booked in the Pickens County Jail. Bishop works at Aliceville High School, while Wilkins works at Aliceville Elementary as a fourth-grade teacher.

The records said Wilkins is charged with use of position for personal gain, possession of child pornography, and intent to disseminate pornographic and obscene matter. Bishop is charged with solicitation of child pornography, possession of child pornography, distribution of a controlled substance and providing a minor with drugs.

Pickens County Schools released a statement saying it is committed to the safety and well-being of its students and is fully cooperating with law enforcement.