Davie teacher charged with sex crimes involving minor

Tuesday, October 06, 2009 4:51 PM  |  Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend |

By Kathy Chaffin

kchaffin@salisburypost.com

MOCKSVILLE — Davie County Sheriff's Department investigators plan to meet Wednesday with parents of students taught by a former South Davie Middle School teacher charged with taking indecent liberties with a minor.

Doug Ebersbach, 50, of Mocksville has also been charged with four counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of breaking and entering, according to Davie County Sheriff Andy Stokes.

Stokes said the charges stem from an investigation which started after the mother of the victim found Ebersbach in her home. "He couldn't explain why he was there and he left," the sheriff said.

Investigators discovered that Ebersbach had gained entry to the house from the minor. Stokes said Ebersbach fled to New Philadelphia, Ohio, where he is believed to have family members, when he realized he was under investigation.

"We suspect that there have been other instances," the sheriff said, adding that Wednesday's meeting "is just an informational meeting to get the students involved in this investigation."

Ebersbach began his employment with the Davie County Schools in March of 2006. He taught at South Davie Middle School for the next three years.

He was transferred to William Ellis Middle School for the 2009-10 school year due to budget and staff reductions. Before his employment with Davie County Schools, Ebersbach taught in Wayne County Schools.

He resigned Sept. 27, and the criminal investigation began Sept. 29.