PATRICK COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — A Patrick County High School teacher has been arrested and charged with soliciting a minor, according to the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office.

Harold Bradley Dalton, 57, of Ike Slate Lane in Ararat, was charged with three counts of using communication systems to facilitate certain offenses involving a minor, Lt. Steve Austin said in a Wednesday Facebook post.

Authorities received a cyber tip Tuesday evening from the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force alleging inappropriate messages from an adult to a minor via Facebook Messenger.

An investigator assigned to the ICAC Task Force determined the suspect was a Patrick County High School teacher and the victim was a student at the same school.

“Facebook Messenger conversations with evidentiary value between Dalton and the minor were collected by investigators,” Austin said.

He added that “the conversations were not solicited in any way by the minor.”

Dalton was arrested without incident at around 1:30 p.m. and is being held at the Patrick County Jail without bond.

Patrick County Public Schools said in a letter to families Wednesday that the staff member has been suspended without pay and that instruction will continue without interruption for students.

“We understand this news may be upsetting and concerning. Counselors are available for any student who may need support,” Superintendent Jason Wood wrote.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about the case to contact Austin at 276-692-5950 or Investigator Jason Kruse at 276-692-5123.

The investigation remains active.

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