Huntsville City Schools employee arrested for sexual contact with student

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - An employee with Huntsville City Schools was arrested and charged on March 15, 2022, for sexual contact with a student.

Gregory Lankford, 57, was arrested and charged with sexual contact with a student under the age of 19. Lankford was released on a $2,500 bond.

Lankford was indicted for sexual contact with a student under the age of 19 on April 14, 2023, according to online court documents.

Lankford is a security guard for Lee High School. He’s also listed as the head softball coach and assistant boys basketball coach on the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s website.

Spokesman for Huntsville City Schools, Craig Williams, released the following statement regarding the arrest:

“The district is aware of this arrest. The safety of our students is paramount, and the individual is on administrative leave pending relevant investigations. Additionally, the individual will not be allowed on any HCS campuses until the investigations are complete. While HCS is not at liberty to share any more information at this time, district and school administration will be working with law enforcement to bring this matter to a resolution.”

Pam Clasgens, the prevention director with the National Children’s Advocacy Center encourages parents to understand what interactions staff have with students.

“If an adult is going to text kids in a class or in a group, they should text the whole group and maybe even include the parents as well. Any time an adult is trying to spend time alone with a child, even if it’s in an organization, but if there’s a room they’re trying to spend time alone with a child in that setting, that’s a big red flag as well,” Clasgens said.

Clasgens says a change in a child’s behavior is a good sign something may not be right, but she says having those tough conversations is critical to make sure your child is safe.

“It can be really difficult for parents, especially teenagers because often times we know teenagers go through phases where they may be rebellious or they may be withdrawn or kind of sullen, but we just need to keep that line of communication open with our kids so we can talk to them and know what’s going on,” she explained.

WAFF has asked Huntsville Police and the school district’s spokesperson if this alleged incident happened on school grounds. We have not received an answer to that question.

However, Craig Williams with Huntsville City Schools says the school district is cooperating with police on this investigation.