FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — A Dillard High School teacher was arrested after Fort Lauderdale Police said he attempted to have an inappropriate relationship with a student, including inappropriate comments, notes and physical touching.
Basil Sylvester Billings, 63, of Margate, was arrested May 28 following an investigation by Fort Lauderdale Police with assistance from Broward County Schools Police, according to the agency information provided in the case. Broward County court records show Billings is charged with offense against a student by an authority figure and lewd or lascivious touching of certain minors.
Police said Billings was a teacher at Dillard High School during the incidents under investigation. The student is not being identified because the case involves a juvenile and sexual offense allegations.
According to Fort Lauderdale Police, the investigation centered on a series of incidents involving Billings and the student. Police allege Billings attempted to have an inappropriate relationship with the student through comments, notes and physical touching.
Court records filed in Broward County list the case as State of Florida v. Basil Sylvester Billings, case number 26006416CF10A. The felony case was filed May 29 and remained active in Broward County’s Central Courthouse as of the clerk record reviewed.
The clerk record lists one count of offense against student by authority figure as a second-degree felony under Florida Statute 800.101(3). It also lists one count of lewd or lascivious touching of certain minors as a third-degree felony under Florida Statute 794.051(1).
Billings was taken into custody May 28 at a Broward County Public Schools Administration office, police said. He was transported to the Broward County Main Jail, where police said he remained at the time of the agency’s statement.
The Broward County Clerk record reviewed did not list bond information or hearing information for the case. The charges are allegations, and Billings is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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