Former School Principal Charged with Multiple Sexual Assault Counts in North Carolina

Retired Educator Faces 19 Criminal Charges Dating Back to 2022

Paul Nelson Locklear, 53, a retired Robeson County principal and former Darlington Middle School teacher, faces multiple sexual assault charges after his arrest on December 21, 2024. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office transferred Locklear to an alternate detention facility for safekeeping following his arraignment on Monday. Investigators uncovered allegations of unlawful sexual activity involving foster children under his care, with incidents dating back to 2022. The arrest followed a juvenile’s escape from Locklear’s foster home in August 2024, triggering a multi-agency investigation.

5 Key Points

• Federal and state authorities collaborated on the investigation spanning two years of alleged abuse.
• Locklear faces a $2,000,000 bond for 19 criminal charges, including sexual assault and child abuse.
• The investigation began after a foster child fled Locklear’s Pembroke residence in August 2024.
• Charges include sexual activity by a substitute parent and multiple counts of crimes against nature.
• The suspect previously worked at schools in both North and South Carolina.

Investigation Details

The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation in August 2024 after a juvenile in foster care fled Locklear’s Pembroke residence and reported sexual abuse allegations to authorities. Investigators from the Juvenile Division uncovered multiple additional victims during their three-month probe, revealing a pattern of alleged abuse extending back to 2022. The Federal Bureau of Investigation partnered with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office to expand the investigation across state lines, examining Locklear’s tenure at Darlington Middle School in South Carolina. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and Robeson County District Attorney’s Office joined the multi-agency investigation, contributing resources to document allegations spanning two states and multiple jurisdictions.

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Criminal Charges and Court Proceedings

Robeson County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Paul Nelson Locklear, 53, at his Pembroke residence on Saturday, December 21, 2024. The former educator faces nineteen separate criminal counts, including one count of sexual activity by a substitute parent, one count of attempted sexual activity by a substitute parent, three counts of indecent liberties with a minor, one count of child abuse sexual act, nine counts of crimes against nature, and four counts of misdemeanor sexual battery. During Locklear’s Monday arraignment, the magistrate set bond at $2 million, citing the severity and quantity of charges. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office transferred Locklear to an alternate detention facility for security purposes. However, officials confirmed he will return to Robeson County for all future court proceedings and case-related matters. The Robeson County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case, working in conjunction with federal authorities due to the cross-jurisdictional nature of the investigation.

Education System Response

The Darlington County School District, where Locklear previously taught at Darlington Middle School, addressed the arrest in an official statement, confirming his prior employment and pledging full cooperation with law enforcement. District officials declined to specify when Locklear’s employment ended or provide details about his tenure at Darlington Middle School. The Robeson County School System, where Locklear served as principal before retirement, has not issued a public statement regarding the arrest. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate whether any incidents occurred during Locklear’s employment at either school system.