Sumter teacher turns himself in, is charged after allegations of inappropriate comments to student

A now-former high school teacher turned himself in Wednesday morning after allegations that he made inappropriate comments to a student via text messages.

Torey A. Shannon, 42, of Sumter, was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor on May 7, according to Tonyia McGirt, public information officer with Sumter Police Department.

According to McGirt, the department was informed on April 29 after school officials learned of allegations of inappropriate comments made by Shannon and that he was, in turn, being blackmailed by a friend of the victim to keep their silence.

According to Shelly Galloway, executive director of communications and community engagement, the district suspended Shannon with pay on April 25 pending the outcome of the investigation. He was terminated on April 29.

“The safety of our students is our top priority,” Galloway said.

Shannon was hired by SSD in 2013 and began working at Sumter High on Feb. 3, 2015.

Shannon was booked at Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and released Wednesday afternoon on a $2,500 surety bond.