A former Richland music teacher has been arrested on charges of gratification of lust.

Sam Taylor was arrested Wednesday evening. Richland Police Chief Nick McClendon confirmed that he has been charged with gratification of lust.

Taylor retired from teaching in 2020, according to school district officials. A 2016 Facebook post from Richland Upper Elementary says, “Mr. Taylor is our Music activity teacher, as well as after-school violin and choir director. He received his degree from Belhaven University, and has been teaching for over 22 years… Along with being a teacher, Mr. Taylor has served the church ministry in the positions of pastor, minister of music, and minister of children, youth, and young adults. He has also been a coach for many of the recreational/community sports. He’s even a certified Soccer Referee.”

At this point, police say the investigation is ongoing.

We have reached out to Rankin County for Taylor’s booking sheet from the Rankin County Jail.