Former Lee High employee who pleaded guilty to having sex with student begins 10 year sentence
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A former Huntsville City Schools employee who entered a guilty plea for engaging in a sexual act with a student was sentenced in a Madison County Circuit Court Monday.
On May 5, court records show that Duane Edward Yarbrough was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Yarbrough entered a guilty plea for a school employee engaging in a sexual act with a student on April 22.
He was indicted on the charge in January 2024 and arrested in February 2024. Jail records showed Yarbrough was released from the Madison County Jail three hours after he was booked with a bond set at $15,000.
As part of the plea agreement, he also agreed to pay a fine of $1,000 in each case, as well as pay compensation to the family in the amount of $100. He is also ordered to have no contact with the victim, submit to DNA testing, and comply with all the provisions of the Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
A Huntsville City Schools spokesperson confirmed to News 19 that Yarbrough was employed by the school system from 2016-2022 and was a JROTC instructor for Lee/New Century High School.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Decatur Police use radio transmitting bracelet to locate lost or missing individuals
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — The Decatur Police Department wants to remind the community of a resource they offer, known as Project Lifesaver. It's a search and rescue program targeted for individuals who have cognitive disorders such as Autism and Alzheimer's that may be prone to wander or get lost. Opening statements begin in trial of Decatur chiropractor charged with attempted murder of wife Decatur Police said the bracelet works through radio frequencies. 'The bracelets have radio transmitters in them, so in the event they get separated from their family, they transmit a radio frequency, and that just really closes in on the amount of time it takes to find them,' Irene Cardenas Martinez said. Martinez is the Public Information Liaison for the Decatur Police Department. When a client signs up for the program, they are given a radio frequency tracking number. That number sits inside the bracelet and inside their computer system. To qualify, they say an individual must: Have a caregiver with them at least 75% of the time. Wear the bracelet at all times. Never drive a vehicle at any time. If an individual is lost, they can enter that number into the Project Lifesaver device, and it tells them where they are located. DPD said there is no cost to enroll in the bracelet department. For more information to see if you or a loved one qualifies, you can call (256) 341-4600 or visit the Police Department's front desk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
19-year-old charged with reckless murder in Binford Drive shooting, HPD confirms
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Court documents show that a 19-year-old has been charged in a shooting on Binford Drive in May. The Huntsville Police Department confirmed that Jamyah Pitts was arrested for reckless murder for her connection to the Binford Drive Shooting that occurred on May 30. 'The case is still under active investigation, and more charges could be forthcoming,' HPD said. Court records show that she was arrested on June 6. Huntsville Police responded to a report of a shooting in progress in the 200 block of Binford Drive around 4:30 a.m. The shooting left one person dead and another person injured. According to HPD, the second person received non-life-threatening injuries. The victim was identified as 21-year-old Tyrek Keshun Norris. During HPD's investigation, officers gathered evidence identifying Pitts in connection to the shooting. They also found that Pitts was still inside an apartment in the 200 block of Binford Drive, police told News 19. Pitts is currently being held in the Madison County Jail without bond, pending an Aniah's Law hearing on June 11. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
HPD's ‘Summer Slowdown' encourages drivers to hit the brakes, not exceed the limit
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — As summer gets underway, the Huntsville Police Department (HPD) is urging all drivers to be more aware and slow down – especially on city streets and in neighborhoods around the city. The Summer Slowdown campaign, which is running from June 9- August 12, is aimed at curbing dangerous driving habits and reducing crashes through a combination of education and enforcement efforts. HPD added that the campaign is also about protecting our youth in the city whether its kids playing outside, or teens getting behind the wheel for the first time. 'This isn't just about traffic enforcement – it's about protecting lives,' Huntsville Police Chief Kirk Giles said. 'Summer Slowdown is our effort to reduce dangerous driving, increase awareness and keep our community safe every time someone gets behind the wheel.' To combat these trends, HPD will increase patrols and enforcement in high-risk areas and residentials neighborhoods where speeding complaints are common. The department will also share ongoing education and safety reminders through social media and community events to encourage responsible driving habits. 'Enforcement alone won't solve the problem,' Huntsville Police Chief Giles said. 'We must engage with our community to educate drivers on the real risks of speeding – from deadly crashes to the financial and legal consequences they will face.' So far in 2025, Huntsville has seen 12 fatal crashes, with speed playing a primary or contributing role. Between January and May, HPD issued 2,625 citations and 1,641 written warnings – most involving drivers exceeding the speed limit by at least 10 miles per hour. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
