Former teacher behind bars

CONCORD, N.C. -- A former teacher is behind bars accused of having sexual relations with two students. Police say an Internet web site helped them discover the second victim.

We’re told that former teacher resigned his teacher’s aid and coaching positions last December when the investigation began. When students at Concord High School learned about what he is accused of doing, many were angry.

“Everybody was talking about it,” said student Maggie Menius.

James Black, 23, is accused of having sexual relations with two Concord High School students.

“They need to get rid of him if he’s doing that with kids at our school because that’s horrible,” exclaimed Menius.

Police say Black did not directly teach or coach either of the victims, but some students, like Menius, say that doesn’t matter.

“We all look up to the coaches, you know. They are there for us when you need to talk and if they’re doing stuff like that then that’s just ridiculous,” she said.

A tip from one of the victims led police to start an investigation.

“There is some thought that maybe he is a predator and maybe he sought them out,” explained Concord Police Chief Merl Hamilton.

But it was Black’s profile on the Internet social site myspace.com that led police to a second victim.

“We wonder if there were more or not. Surely his myspace.com account indicates a large amount of contacts,” said Hamilton.

Concord police are asking anyone with information about these cases or any others to contact them. Police also noted that if Black had not been working for the school at the time of the alleged acts he would not be facing charges. That's because both of the victims are above the age of 15-years-old. It's the teacher, student relationship that police say is a crime.

School officials say Concord High School’s principal, Carla Black is related, though not directly, to James Black. A spokesperson could not elaborate on the extent of that relationship.