Former Lexington Four teacher out on bond with special conditions after accusations of inappropriate

Gaston, SC (Paul Kirby) - Samantha Lynne Knopsnyder, 26, a teacher who had previously worked at Sandhills Middle School in Gaston, is out on bond after being charged with inappropriate sexual behavior with a student. She was charged last week with third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.

According to a press release from the LCSD Friday, Knopsnyder is accused of having a relationship with and kissing a former student at the school last year. Knopsnyder appeared at a bond hearing Saturday and was given a $30,000 surety bond. She was also ordered by the judge not to have any direct or indirect contact with the victim or the victim's family while she was awaiting the outcome of the case.

In a statement from the LCSD Friday, Sheriff Jay Koon said, “Based on information detectives have gathered during our ongoing investigation, Knopsnyder inappropriately touched the victim while in her classroom.” This all allegedly happened last school year. The school district has said that Knopsnyder is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. Her attorney has said publicly that she no longer works for the district.

Classes for the 2018/19 school year for Lexington School District Four began yesterday.