by Kate Shunney
A former Morgan County teacher who was arrested in Virginia in July was charged by a Louisa County Sheriff’s deputy after the officer came upon him and a teen in a parking lot in Mineral, Va. in the early morning hours of July 12.
Benjamin “Sam” Hopkins, 41, was charged with soliciting a minor, adultery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Within a week of those charges, Hopkins resigned from his job with the Morgan County Board of Education as a teacher in Paw Paw.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Louisa County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and supplied to The Morgan Messenger in response to a records request, Deputy Justin Engen of the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office was on patrol on July 12 when he observed two individuals hugging and kissing outside a vehicle parked at the Mineral Outreach Center. 
Deputy Engen wrote in the criminal complaint that at 2 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, he pulled his patrol car behind the vehicle and made contact with Hopkins, getting his driver’s license and confirming his identity.
The officer then made contact with the teenager who was with Hopkins and asked her age. According to the complaint, the female gave the officer a false date of birth initially, then informed the deputy she was 17 years of age.
During questioning, Hopkins allegedly told the officer that he did know the female’s age, and confirmed they had intimate contact.
According to the complaint, Hopkins told officers he had seen the female at a Dollar General in town more than 10 days prior and asked for her phone number. He then allegedly texted her, soliciting sexual favors.
Court records indicate their first encounter occurred on July 1 in Hopkins’ car. Between that time and the date of his arrest, Hopkins allegedly also requested and received explicit photos of the teen and had sexual contact with her.
Hopkins confirmed to the officer that he was married, the complaint said.
According to court records, the teen’s parent was called and was present for the officer’s questioning.
Hopkins was jailed on the charges but has been released on bond as he awaits further hearings in the case.
Morgan County Superintendent David Banks confirmed that Hopkins had submitted his resignation from his teaching position after his arrest.
