A Gainesville man has been charged with eleven criminal counts for an alleged illicit relationship involving a girl under the age of 16. The accused met the girl while working as a substitute teacher at East Hall High, officials say.
Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested Christopher Brennen Young, 23, on Wednesday, July 6 at a residence on Bogus Road. He was taken into custody after an investigation that began at the end of June.
“Investigators determined Young met his victim while he was employed as a substitute teacher at East Hall High School. The investigation found evidence that Young sexually assaulted the teen and took videos of the sexual activity on his cell phone,” says Hall County Sheriff’s spokesperson BJ Williams.
The reported assaults did not occur on school property, Williams adds. Young has been charged with two counts each of aggravated sexual battery and aggravated child molestation, one count of aggravated sodomy, and six counts of violating the Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 1999.
Depending on forensic testing of electronic devices seized from his residence, Young could face additional criminal charges, Williams says.
Hall County Schools Director of Communications Stan Lewis issued the following statement regarding the investigation:
“First and foremost, our hearts go out to the victim and family. The district stands ready to provide necessary support. The individual charged worked sporadically last year as a substitute teacher and no longer works in that capacity.
All of our substitutes go through a criminal background check before working.
We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and all questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the Hall County Sheriff’s Department.”
Young remains in the Hall County Jail without bond.
