Hopper released on bail

By Lynn Hotaling

Nathan Hopper, 49, of Cullowhee, arrested Nov. 28 at SMHS, was being held under a $1.5 million bond until Judge Dennis Winner reduced his bond Jan. 29. Hopper was held at the Jackson County Jail from the time of his arrest until his release on Friday.

Conditions Judge Winner attached to Hopper's bond included stipulations that he have no contact with his wife and daughters and that he has no unsupervised contact with a child under age 15.

A Jackson County Grand Jury indicted Hopper Jan. 28 on 32 counts of child sexual abuse - 19 counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and 13 counts of statutory sexual offense of a person who is 13, 14 or 15 years old.

The charges against Hopper stem from allegations that he molested a female family member from 1997 through 1999 when the alleged victim was between 13 and 15 years old and are based on information supplied to the Jackson County Sheriff's Department by the Jackson County Department of Social Services.

Hopper and his wife, Jo Anne, who reported the alleged abuse, are engaged in divorce proceedings as a result of the allegations of abuse.

The state's case against Hopper appeared in jeopardy in December when a previous Grand Jury refused to return indictments.

Additional evidence presented to the Grand Jury last week included the results of a medical examination of the alleged victim and telephone testimony from a woman in Louisiana who alleges Hopper molested her more than 30 years ago, according to Detective Jimmy Clawson.

A trial date is expected to be set during the Feb. 18 Superior Court session, said Assistant District Attorney Monica Leslie. Roy Patton of Waynesville is Hopper's court-appointed attorney.

Hopper, who taught biology and physical science at SMHS from January 1999 until his November arrest, has been suspended indefinitely without pay.

A native of Louisiana, Hopper moved with his family to Cullowhee in 1992. He began teaching in August 1993 at Blue Ridge, where he was employed for five and a half years before transferring to Smoky Mountain.

Sports Editor Carey Phillips contributed to this report.

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