By Associated Press - Wednesday, April 5, 2017

LINCOLNTON, N.C. (AP) - A former Spruce Pine teacher is among eight men who have been arrested and charged with soliciting a minor.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reports (https://avlne.ws/2oyLl34) that 51-year-old Blane Fitzgerald Gregory was arrested March 28 by Lincolnton police and charged with soliciting a minor for an unlawful sex act by computer and appearing to meet the child.

Gregory had been teaching at Newton-Conover Middle School since January but resigned and surrendered his teaching license March 29.

The Lincolnton Police Department arrested Gregory and seven other men after a three-month undercover operation. The Department says in a statement that detectives portrayed a child on social media outlets and spoke with offenders. It says detectives and offenders would agree to meet and participate in sex acts.

It’s unclear if Gregory has an attorney.

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Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, https://www.citizen-times.com

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