Former guidance counselor faces more charges

ASHEBORO — An Asheboro High School counselor arrested earlier this month now faces 20 additional felony counts, with investigators alleging two more victims and evidence she manipulated student grades.

Amber Elizabeth Walker, 39, of Greensboro was first arrested May 8 after Asheboro police received a tip that morning alleging a faculty member had engaged in sexual activity with a juvenile student at Asheboro High School.

She was charged with two counts of sexual activity with a student and released May 11 after posting a $50,000 secured bond, with a condition of no contact with the victim. Detectives continued investigating, and on Wednesday, May 20, obtained five new arrest warrants charging Walker with five counts of sexual activity with a student, 13 counts of indecent liberties with a student and two counts of accessing a government computer to commit fraud. Police said two additional victims were identified during the investigation. The updated warrants allege offenses dating as far back as June  2022.

Investigators allege they uncovered evidence that Walker had accessed a computer database to improperly alter student grades and grade point averages, police said. The offenses occurred both at the school and at other locations, according to police.

Asheboro City Schools confirmed Walker is no longer employed by the district, effective May 8 — the same day as her initial arrest. The district said she had been employed as a school counselor since Feb. 26, 2018. The district declined to provide additional information, citing the active law enforcement investigation, but said it “remains committed to the safety and well-being of students and staff.”

Walker was being held in the Randolph County Jail under a $25,000 secured bond as of May 22 afternoon. She was scheduled to appear in Randolph District Court on May 26.