By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

A Shelby County School System bus driver who was arrested on Feb. 4 and charged with second-degree criminal trespassing has been placed on paid administrative leave while the school system investigates the arrest.

Alabaster resident Harmon D. Acker, 43, was arrested at about 1 p.m. on Feb. 4 after Alabaster police accused him of breaking into Thompson High School.

Harmon Acker is the brother of Daniel Acker Jr., who was arrested in January and has been charged with six counts of sexual abuse. Harmon Acker also is the son of Shelby County Commissioner Daniel Acker Sr.

Shelby County Schools spokeswoman Cindy Warner said Harmon Acker has been a bus driver for the school system for about seven-and-a-half years, and has had no previous disciplinary issues with the school board.

Warner said Harmon Acker was placed on administrative leave while the Shelby County School Board performs an investigation of the charges brought against him.

Harmon Acker was arrested after Alabaster police received a call about a burglary in progress at THS. According to an Alabaster police press release, a witness notified officers a man was trying to make entry into the school through a window.

Harmon Acker was then taken into custody without incident. Alabaster police said evidence at the scene indicated Harmon Acker had entered the school before he was taken into custody.

Harmon Acker was released from the Alabaster Jail after he posted a $500 bond.