SMYTH COUNTY TEACHER INDICTED

Thursday, June 28, 2007
by Duane Nelson

A SMYTH COUNTY GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED A COUNTY TEACHER AND COACH FOR ALLEGED INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT WITH A FEMALE STUDENT AT A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL. 33 YEAR OLD MICHAEL ZANE GATES OF ABINGDON IS CHARGED WITH 17 COUNTS OF TAKING INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH A CHILD. GATES WAS EMPLOYED AT NORTHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL. GATES IS AN EARTH SCIENCE TEACHER AND WRESTLING COACH. HE WAS REMOVED FROM HIS JOB WHILE HIS CASE IS GOING THROUGH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. GATES IS EXPECTED TO BE ARRAIGNED IN SMYTH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT SOON.