An investigation into online child sexual predators resulted in multiple arrests in Prattville, police confirmed on Saturday.
Five suspects were arrested, a release from the Prattville Police Department stated. One suspect, Brian Pittman, is an employee of Prattville High School and a former coach. The PPD clarified that the arrest did not involve a student.
Authorities said Pittman and the four other men taken into custody in the investigation have each been charged with one count of electronic solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, which are Class B and A felonies respectively.
Rebecca Thomas, a spokesperson for Autauga County Schools, said that the school system is aware of the situation, and though they cannot share much information while the investigation continues, “student safety is a top priority.”
“Any actions that jeopardize that safety are dealt with swiftly and to the full extent of district policy and state law,” Thomas said in a statement. “Concerning news like this may raise questions for families and students. If you know of any information that may be helpful to this investigation, please contact any of the following individuals. All reports will be taken seriously and handled with care.”
Thomas said that — as authorities said — “at this time,” there is no indication that the situation involves a student, and that Pittman has been placed on administrative leave and removed from the high school’s campus.
All five are being held at the Elmore County Jail, each with a $90,000 bond, the PPD said.
The investigation is ongoing, and police say more charges may be added.
Thomas urged those with any additional information that may be relevant to the case to contact either Steven Ashley at the PPD at 334-595-0208, Daniel Farris, PHS principal, at 334-365-8804, or Lyman Woodfin, the ACS superintendent, at 334-365-5706.
(This story was updated to add more information.)
Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@montgome.gannett.com or follow her on X @sarahgclifton and TikTok @sarahgclifton. To support her work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Prattville teacher arrested in child predator investigation
