Details released in Briggs rape case

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. (KAIT) - Several victims told Blytheville police that a teacher either had sex with them or discussed sexual activity with students, Blytheville police said in a police report released Wednesday.

Gregory Briggs, 29, of Blytheville was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of rape, sexually grooming of a child and internet stalking of a child after the investigation by Blytheville police.

Blytheville police said in a media release May 15 that a school resource officer was contacted May 12 by security members at the school.

“They reported that they had been contacted by the parent of a 13 year old student who had evidence of inappropriate contact of a sexual nature between their child and 29 year old Gregory Briggs, a teacher with the Blytheville Public Schools,” Thompson said in the media release.

Thompson said the investigation uncovered evidence.

“The subsequent investigation revealed additional evidence of inappropriate contact of a sexual nature between Briggs and other students. The students were interviewed and admitted to having, to varying degrees, a personal relationship of a sexual nature with Briggs.”

According to the police report, Briggs began communicating with one of the students late night.

“It was discovered that the teacher, identified as being Gregory Briggs, had been exchanging flirtations with the victim via TikTok using the messaging feature, conversations of a sexually explicit nature and had spoken to the victim to meet face to face outside of school,” the police report noted. “These messages including ones sent after the hours of midnight and a conversation in which Briggs had driven to the victim’s neighborhood and then messaged the victim to come back outside and make face to face contact.”

Another victim, a 13-year-old, also spoke with police.

“The victim, a 13-year-old (redacted), also disclosed the names of other potential victims, including victim #2 who told victim #1, ‘Do not ever let Mr. Briggs get you alone in a room',” the report noted.

Police also discovered email messages between Briggs and another student, called “Victim #3”.

Victim #3 also showed police those messages.

“During a forensic interview with victim #3, officers were shown messages on a phone of the victim between (redacted) and Briggs. The messages were sexually explicit in nature and involved transmitted/receiving photos,” the report noted.

Police also discovered a gift that was sexual in nature that was given to the victim, the report noted.

“During the forensic interview, victim #3 disclosed giving oral sex to Briggs in 2019. (Redacted) stated that (Redacted) felt compelled to perform oral sex on Briggs in exchange for vaping products that he purchased and provided (Redacted) with,” the report noted.

The report also noted that Briggs requested nude photos of the victim, police said.

Thompson said detectives executed a search warrant May 13 at Briggs’ home and arrested Briggs.

In addition to Blytheville police, investigators with the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children division and school officials also assisted in the investigation, Thompson said.

In the report, Briggs reportedly confessed to the relationship that he had with the victims as well as purchasing the items for each victim, police said.

In a statement to Region 8 News, Blytheville Superintendent Bobby Ashley said Thursday the district is cooperating with law enforcement on the matter.

“We are aware of his arrest and this individual is currently on administrative leave pending further investigation,” Ashley said.

No bond has been set in the case.

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