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Stewart, who set school single-game and season scoring records for the Bobcats this past basketball season, is charged with seven counts of statutory rape.
The charges against Brooks and Stewart involve a 14-year-old female, according to arrest warrants. The girl was a freshman at Blue Ridge this past school year.
If convicted, Brooks could face anywhere from 38 to 229 months on each charge, according to Assistant District Attorney Sally Waters. Stewart could face from 44 to 261 months on each count if he is convicted, she said.
Brooks and Stewart were released from jail last week after posting secured bonds of $40,000 and $5,000, respectively.
Search warrants issued for Brooks' home and office became available after The Herald went to press last week. They contain information that sheds some light on the allegations.
A search warrant for Brooks' Yellow Mountain Road home states that a 15-year-old female alleges that on more than one occasion between February and May she was taken to Brooks' residence for sexual activities.
The search warrant also states that an 18-year-old male said Brooks paid him more than $500 to perform sexual activities with a female at the Brooks residence. He added Brooks offered more cash for the same activity, but the money was not accepted. The male also said Brooks had expressed a desire for video taping the sexual activities.
The search warrant for Brooks' office indicates a 15-year-old female said she was taken to the office, located in the school, for sexual activities with a male on three occasions between February and May. She alleges that Brooks had approached the male before hand and offered the use of his office for sexual activities. The female also alleges that Brooks discussed the sexual activities between her and the male after the activities were completed. On one occasion, she states Brooks "bragged" about her performance.
Among items seized during the searches were photos, notes and video tapes. Information was not made available about the specifics of what the items contained.
Cruzan called a news conference last Thursday (June 7). The only new information released at that time was that at least some of the sexual activities occurred during school hours and that the investigation started Sunday, June 3.
"We are facing a lengthy legal process," said Superintendent Mack McCary, whose voice broke with emotion during the news conference. "This is very much like a death in the family. My heart goes out to the students and the parents who are caught up in this. As much pain as we are in, they are in more pain."
He said counselors have been made available to students, parents and anyone else in the community who might require their services.
"The only thing I can say is that school people are as frustrated as the community in wanting clear answers," McCary said Tuesday (June 12) morning. "However, we have to wait until the sheriff's investigation is completed. We have to be sure that we don't say anything that jeopardizes or interferes with his ongoing investigation."
At Monday's news conference, Cruzan asked that any Blue Ridge students or their parents with information about the case contact the Sheriff's Department. He made the same request of Smoky Mountain High students and their parents.
Brooks is a son of former Smoky Mountain football coach Lionel Brooks. He was never employed as a teacher at Smoky Mountain, but he did help with the football program in various capacities from 1993-96. He was SM's JV baseball coach from 1994-99.
Cameron Brooks, a half brother to Joe Brooks, was SM football coach last season and resigned from the position June 4, the same day warrants were issued for the arrest of Joe Brooks. (See related story on Page 1B.) However, there is no indication that Cameron Brooks' resignation is related to his brother's arrest.
SM Principal Kenny Nicholson said Cameron Brooks approached him six to eight weeks ago and indicated he was thinking about resigning.
Hess followed his father into the law enforcement profession. He is a son of Charles Hess, an agent with the State Bureau of Investigation.
For several years, including last season, Robbie Hess worked as a trainer/manager at Smoky Mountain. His primary duties were with the football team.
In addition to working with the Sheriff's Department, Tenhagen and the school system entered into a 1999 agreement that allowed him and his wife, Lynn, to live in a house on the Blue Ridge campus. In exchange for free rent and $106 per month, the Tenhagens were to serve as residential security officers for the school.
Their duties included securing the campus each night and checking on disturbances or visitors during late evening and early morning hours.
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