Brock admits to sex with 14-year-old student
By DAVID CLEMONS, Correspondent
A former local teacher will spend up to 20 years in prison for having sex with a student.
William Bear Maxilom Brock, 44, a former teacher at Sardis Middle School, pleaded guilty last week to the charge of a teacher engaging in a sex act with a student.
Brock was arrested June 6, 2025, in Boaz. A day earlier, police received a tip about a sexual assault. The victim, then 14, said Brock forced her into sexual acts. She had been a student in his eighth grade class.
At the time, Brock also was charged with second-degree rape and second-degree sodomy.
“The truth is, there are no words that can fully describe what I’ve been through or how much my life has changed because I trusted my teacher … someone I should have been able to feel safe around,” the student said in a victim impact statement read aloud in Marshall County Circuit Court.
“Instead of respecting that trust, he took advantage of it.”
Brock reportedly acknowledged the harm he caused before sentencing.
“There are no amount of words I can say to make it right. … Everything you said is just … and I want to apologize to you and let you know I’m remorseful. I do hope you can heal from this.”
Judge Chris Abel handed down the maximum 20-year sentence on Oct. 26. Brock will have to register as a sex offender upon release.
“This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the lasting harm that can be caused when someone in a position of trust takes advantage of a child,” District Attorney Jennifer Bray, who prosecuted the case, said in a statement on Oct. 28.
“This young victim has shown tremendous courage throughout this process. While no prison sentence can undo what she has endured, I hope Monday’s outcome brings her some measure of justice and allows her to move forward knowing that her voice was heard and the person responsible has been held accountable.
“Above all, I hope she knows that what happened to her does not define her or her future.”
Boaz police Chief Investigator Doug Ware led the investigation, with assistance from the Marshall County Department of Human Resources and the Marshall County Child Advocacy Center.
Before getting into education, Brock was a multisport athlete at Crossville High School. He also coached in addition to his classroom role, and had worked in youth ministry.
