Former East Tennessee middle school teacher indicted on minor exploitation charge

What This Story Is About A former middle school teacher has been indicted on exploitation of a minor by electronic means. Why It Matters He was a teacher at Lincoln Heights Middle School at the time the alleged crime took place. For Context He resigned from his teaching position the same day Superintendent Arnold Bunch suspended him pending the outcome of the investigation in Claiborne County.

CLAIBORNE COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) - A former teacher in Hamblen County who resigned amid an investigation has been indicted in Claiborne County. On Oct. 28, 25-year-old Ryan Lawson was indicted on one count of exploitation of a minor by electronic means in Claiborne County, according to court documents.

Lawson worked at Lincoln Heights Middle School in Hamblen County from July 29, 2024 to Feb. 13, 2026, Superintendent Arnold Bunch said in a statement. According to Bunch, he was informed of an investigation by the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department on Feb. 13, leading to Lawson’s suspension pending the investigation. Lawson then resigned from his teaching position, Bunch said.

The indictment alleges that Lawson committed the crime between December 2025 and February 2026.

Summary of the outlet's own feed. From WVLT (Knoxville), November 6, 2026.