SALISBURY, North Carolina — A Rowan County teacher was arrested on Friday following an investigation into allegations of sex crimes involving a student that date back multiple years, law enforcement officials announced.
The Salisbury Police Department initiated an inquiry back in 2020 concerning allegations against David Steelman, who is now 51 years old. The accusations originate from 2012, a period when Steelman was working as an information technology technician at Salisbury High School.
Police investigators stated that the case centers on a single victim who was enrolled as a student at Salisbury High School when the alleged offenses occurred. According to authorities, the incidents took place both on and off the school campus.
Arrest warrants for Steelman were secured on May 28, 2026. He surrendered to law enforcement the following day and was formally charged with eight counts of sex offense with a student and two counts of indecent liberties with a student. Steelman was processed at the Rowan County jail, where his bond was established at $500,000.
Steelman is currently employed as a Career and Technical Education teacher at Corriher-Lipe Middle School within Rowan County. Representatives for Rowan-Salisbury Schools confirmed that Steelman has been positioned on administrative leave since March.
In a news release issued on May 29, police stated that the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities urge anyone possessing information relevant to the case to contact Detective McDaniel with the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333, or to submit anonymous tips through Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 866-639-5245.
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