Topsail High School track coach quits, charged with trafficking a child

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Pender County Schools employee has quit as he faces criminal charges involving a child.

Ahmad Garrison, 27, is charged with soliciting a child by computer and human trafficking a child victim.

Garrison was a teacher and the head track coach at Topsail High School when the Pender County Sheriff’s Office arrested him yesterday. Investigators say the arrested Garrison when he showed up to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex.

The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation began when the teen’s parents found inappropriate Instagram messages between their daughter and Garrison. The teen was a former student at Topsail High School at the time of Garrison’s arrest.

We spoke with parents about the arrest.

“I think the biggest lesson for us as parents is that no matter how much background checking is done, that there are people who are predators or who might be out there with ill intent and we need to teach our children how to handle those situations,” said Karen Lambert

“Definitely he needs to be off the streets, off- definitely never coaching again and I would say not even in the area again. You know, get him out of town,” said Jillian Schuster.

Investigators also charged Garrison with human trafficking when allegations were made in which Garrison offered to take the victim to Charlotte and have her perform sex acts for money.

Pender County Schools confirmed Garrison was hired May 20, 2016, as an ISS teacher assistant at Topsail High. He worked as an assistant football coach and boys’ indoor/outdoor track coach at the school. Garrison resigned immediately after his arrest, investigators say.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims and others who might know of Garrison’s activities during his time at Topsail High School

If you have any information, call (910) 259-1212 and ask for Det. Sgt. Steve Clinard.

In a statement, Pender County Schools says it will continue to work with the Sheriff’s Office throughout this investigation.