Ex-assistant principal at Rock Hill Northwestern pleads guilty to student sex charges
A former assistant principal at a South Carolina high school in Rock Hill faces up to 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Tuesday to sex charges with a student.
Kenneth Andrew Williams, 37, pleaded guilty in York County criminal court to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, sexual battery with a student, and disseminating obscene material.
The guilty pleas came six years after Williams was arrested on the charges in 2016 while he was an assistant principal at Northwestern High School in the Rock Hill school district.
The combined charges carry as much as 30 years, 16th Circuit Senior Solicitor Erin Joyner said in court Tuesday.
Williams also must register as a sex offender for the next 15 years, Joyner said.
Sentencing will be held on June 13.
Williams admits guilt
Williams did not speak in court Tuesday except to admit to Judge Bill McKinnon that he was guilty.
“Are you guilty?” McKinnon asked.
“Yes, I am,” Williams said.
His lawyers, Twana Burris-Alcide and Gary Lemel, told McKinnon they agreed with the decision to plead guilty.
Victim in court
The victim was in court Tuesday but did not speak. The Herald does not name child victims or victims of of sex crimes.
The victim and others with her left court after Williams admitted to the charges, which he had spent six years denying.
The victim, who was 16 years old at the time of the offenses, was a student at Northwestern where Williams had authority over the girl, Joyner said.
Williams knew the victim’s family, Joyner said.
Williams sent naked photos of himself to the victim through Snapchat social media, and had inappropriate and illegal physical contact with the victim, Joyner said in court.
Williams was placed on leave in 2016 when the accusations were being investigated.
What happens now?
Several other charges against Williams are being dismissed as part of the plea deal.
Williams has been free on bail for almost six years.
He was allowed to remain free on bond until the June 13 sentencing.
