Creepy Tenn. school board member who told young student she’s ‘hot’ is now facing assault charges

Creepy Tenn. school board member who told young student she’s ‘hot’ is now facing assault charges



A notorious Tennessee school board member who salivated over a teenage girl during a live-streamed meeting is now facing charges that he also allegedly touched her.

Keith Ervin, who sits on the Washington County Board of Education, faces an assault charge stemming from an infamous April 2 board meeting where he sidled up to high school senior Hannah Campbell, WSMV reported.

Keith Ervin was charged with one count of assault for allegedly touching a high schooler during a board of education meeting in April. WHJL

At the board’s table during the meeting, the pervy middle-aged trustee leaned in close and wrapped his arm around Campbell’s shoulder — an action that was caught on the livestream.

“God you’re hot, you know that?” he told her, before asking Campbell what school she attends.

High school senior Hannah Campbell spoke out against Ervin. Washington County School Board

Ervin appeared to squeeze Campbell’s shoulder a second time after she pulled away, the livestream showed.

No one challenged Ervin’s creepy remarks during the meeting, but the online backlash was immediate.

A petition calling for Ervin’s removal went viral. He was censured days later.

Campbell was back before the school board with a vengeance this month — going scorched earth on Ervin during another live-streamed meeting.

Campbell told Ervin at a subsequent meeting that she did “not forgive” him. Washington County,TN BOE / YouTube

“I do not forgive you, and I do not accept your fake apologies used to protect yourselves. I do not believe that you deserve that peace of mind,” Campbell bluntly told the balding board member in a visceral four-minute tirade.

“Every time that you feel a little bit of discomfort from the public, I want you to remember that it isn’t even a fraction of what I felt on April 2nd.”

Ervin tried to walk back his comment, insisting that he meant that the high schooler “was on a roll.”

“And, you know, I’m old school. I’m an old farm boy. And I didn’t mean nothing by anything. I just was proud of her,” he claimed.

Ervin was previously censured for making a lewd sexual hand gesture in front of high school students. Washington County,TN BOE / YouTube

The Washington County School District confirmed that it was made aware of Ervin’s indictment.

“The Board reiterates that Mr. Ervin’s actions do not reflect the standards, policies, or values of the school district,” the school board wrote in a statement.  

“The Board remains committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and appropriate environment for all students and staff.”

This isn’t Ervin’s first time on the school board’s chopping block.

In 2009, he was censured for making a lewd sexual gesture in front of a high school students when one child said they held a job where they made $8 an hour.

Ervin is scheduled to appear in Washington County court on Aug. 7.



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Sophie Clearwater

Vancouver-based environmental journalist, writing about nature, sustainability, and the Pacific Northwest.

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