By GRAHAM BROOKS

MONTEVALLO–A 31-year-old Montevallo High School special education teacher was arrested and charged on Tuesday, Feb. 23, for allegedly having sexual contact with a student under the age of 19.

The Montevallo Police Department arrested Lawrence Lilly II, who lists an address in the 1000 block of Spring Creek Road in Montevallo, on Feb. 23 and charged him with one felony count of a school employee having sexual contact with a student under the age of 19.

According to his arrest warrants, from Sept. 25, 2015 until Feb. 2, 2016 Lilly allegedly “intentionally and knowingly engaged with a male or female student under the age of 19.” The victim in the case was 18 years old.

The Shelby County School District released a statement once it was made aware of the allegations.

“Shelby County Schools takes allegations of this nature seriously. The school district took immediate action when first made aware of these allegations. We are working closely with and in support of local law enforcement; further comments will not be made at this time as this is an ongoing HR investigation.”

Lilly was arrested and released from the Shelby County Jail on Feb. 23 after posting a bond totaling $15,000.

A school employee having sexual contact with a student under the age of 19 is a Class B felony, and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, according to Alabama law.

A preliminary hearing has been set for March 23 at 8:30 a.m. according to court documents.