NC Teacher Marries Victim, Avoids Rape Charge - Update

(Wilmington, North Carolina) Leah Gayle Shipman, 42, skirted prosecution on student sex offenses by marrying her victim. She pleaded guilty last month to a misdemeanor resisting an officer charge.

Shipman was a married Brunswick County Academy teacher when she was arrested in January 2009 on charges of sexual offense with a student, statutory rape and taking indecent liberties with a student. Shipman was immediately suspended from her job and her contract wasn't renewed.

Court records indicate that on Jan. 19, 2011, she divorced her husband of 19 years, and on Jan. 25, 2011, Shipman married student Johnnie Ray Ison in Brunswick County after obtaining a marriage license from Columbus County.

According to the Columbus County register of deeds office, Ison was 17 at the time of the marriage, and his mother, Susan Wilson, signed the paperwork allowing him to marry.

Consequently, given that the victim cannot be compelled to testify against his wife, the entire statutory rape case disappears. However, for the resisting charge Shipman received a suspended 30-day jail sentence, a year of probation and $345 in restitution. Additionally, her teaching credentials are toast.

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NC Teacher Arrested for Sex with Student
[Previous 1/7/10 post]
(Wilmington, North Carolina) A 39-year-old teacher t Brunswick County Academy, Leah Gayle Shipman, has been arrested by sheriff's deputies for allegedly engaging in sex with a 15-year-old student.

Shipman has been charged with sexual offense with a student, statutory rape and taking indecent liberties with a student.

Shipman is a Transitional Curriculum teacher at Brunswick County Academy. Brunswick County Schools Superintendent Katie McGee said in a written statement that the school system will continue to work with the sheriff's department on this investigation.

Shipman has been suspended from her teaching position. She was booked into custody at the Brunswick County Jail with bond set at $100,000.