A Batesville man is in the Independence County jail on a $500,000 bond, accused of sexually assaulting a minor female.
Daniel Benjamin Roach (pictured), 34, is charged with two counts of first-degree sexual assault.
The court information from the Affidavit of Probable Cause for Arrest says the relationship with the female came to light when her parents discovered nude images and videos on her phone.
The Sheriff’s Investigative Unit was notified on Jan. 15, 2021, and interviews were conducted at separate times with the victim and the accused on Jan. 19, 2021.
Roach is an employee of the Batesville School District in the Information Technology Department, serving as a network administrator.
Roach apparently supervised the victim when she worked as an aid in that department.
In the court information, Roach told authorities that the two spent time at his home, “hanging out.”
In his interview, Roach said the relationship started with cell phone communications and did not start out sexual. He said it turned sexual when the two began sending each other nude images and videos.
In the court documents, Roach said he and the minor female engaged in sexual intercourse and other sexual activity.
Batesville School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Hester said the district followed its personnel policy and has placed Roach on paid administrative leave, pending further investigation.
Dr. Hester said since it is a personnel matter, the district would not have further comment.
Image from the Independence County Detention Center Inmate List
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