Desoto Teacher Arrested for Sex with Student

A Desoto County teacher is accused of having sex with a 17 year old student. Police say Tyler Bigham and the teen were caught at Snowden Grove Park on Monday night. Now Bigham is facing sexual battery charges.

Desoto County schools confirmed 22 year old Tyler Bigham is a first year music teacher at Desoto Central High School. The district says they are unsure if the 17 year old senior girl was a student of his, and for now he is suspended until the outcome of the police investigation.

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It's hard for Roy Moore to imagine his next door neighbor in a mugshot and behind bars.

Moore says "[He's] quiet, never caused no trouble. I've never known him to be in any trouble of any kind."

That's until Monday night when police caught up with 22 year old Tyler Bigham. Southaven Police arrested Bigham at Snowden Grove Park after a routine patrol.

According to Deputy Chief Steven Pirtle, "[we] found a 22 year old and a 17 year old having sex."

"That's bad business, that is strictly bad business," says Moore, when informed of the charges.

Bigham is a teacher at Desoto Central High School. The district confirms the 22 year old was a first year music teacher.

Moore says "he played in the band all through school and college."

Bigham is being charged with sexual battery because of his role as a teacher. He's considered to be in a position of trust or authority over the child.

"Whether it's consensual or not, that's what this act fell under," says Pirtle.

School officials don't know if Gigham was the girl's teacher, but the girl was a senior at the school.

Moore says "he's too smart to be doing stuff like that."

While Southaven Police continue their investigation, the school district has suspended the music teacher until they know more.

Chief Pirtle says after the investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Desoto County grand jury for an indictment.