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A Beaufort County elementary school teacher was arrested and
charged with third degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor
Thursday morning, according to officials.

Anthony Richard Heiter, 54, of Hilton Head Island, is a first
grade dual language Spanish immersion teacher at Hilton Head
Island Elementary School. Heiter was hired by the Beaufort
County School District in July 2015, according to district
spokesperson Jim Foster.


The alleged sexual assault occurred in October 2018 with a
student inside the elementary school, according to Capt. Bob
Bromage, spokesperson for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

The alleged victim’s parents reported the assault to the
school’s principal on Nov. 9, Foster said. Heiter was
immediately removed from his position and placed on paid
administrative leave, which he is still on as the investigation
takes place, according to district spokesperson Foster.

Heiter turned himself in early Thursday morning and was booked
into the Beaufort County Detention Center at about 6 a.m.,
Bromage said.

As of 9 a.m., a bond had yet to be set, according to the
Detention Center jail log.

Heiter faces up to fifteen years in prison if he is convicted
for the felony, according to state law.

The school district reported Heiter’s arrest Thursday morning to
the South Carolina Department of Education, which has the sole
authority to suspend or revoke South Carolina educators’
certificates, according to Foster.

Hilton Head Elementary is hosting a meeting for parents at 5
p.m. Tuesday in the school’s red auditorium, principal Sarah
Owen said in a letter to parents Thursday afternoon.

“As we move forward, the safety and well-being of the students
in the school, specifically his current and previous classes,
will be our priority,” she wrote.

Representatives from the school and district will speak with
Heiter’s class Friday to focus on students’ concerns and
questions and to “alleviate any fears they may have,” the letter
said.

Owen also wrote she wanted to emphasize that Heiter has not been
convicted of anything or admitted guilt so he should be
“presumed innocent until the judicial system determines
otherwise.”

In addition to teaching, Heiter also works as a magician for a
show called “The Magic of Anthony Heiter”, according to the
rental company HHI Bounce House’s website.

The site called Heiter an “accomplished musician, actor and
magician.”

“Anthony (Heiter) enjoys entertaining at birthday parties and
specials events for all ages, performing up-close table-to-table
magic or full stage performances,” the site says.

Heiter also plays the drums in a Lowcountry blues band called
Royal Blues Machine, according to the band’s website.

https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/crime/article224656400.h
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