News Summary
Rock Hill’s educational community is grappling with serious allegations against former police detective Daniel Shealy, charged with child exploitation. Jury selection begins as investigators reveal evidence of child pornography. Simultaneously, teacher Doug MacAlpine faces charges of sexual exploitation and voyeurism involving a staff member, amplifying concerns about safety in local schools. Both cases have prompted school officials to affirm their commitment to student safety amid ongoing investigations.
Rock Hill Teacher Charged with Child Exploitation and Voyeurism Following Disturbing Investigations
Rock Hill, SC – Jury selection is scheduled to commence on Monday in the federal case against former Rock Hill Police Detective Daniel Shealy, who faces multiple charges related to child pornography. Shealy previously held the position of School Resource Officer at South Pointe High School and later worked in the Criminal Investigations Division of the Rock Hill Police Department before being terminated in September 2023 amid serious allegations.
Investigators uncovered substantial evidence against Shealy, including at least 18 explicit files associated with a social media account and his cellphone. The findings were the result of a thorough investigation that began in June and continued into September 2023, conducted by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, the York County Sheriff’s Office, Rock Hill Police, and a Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Jury selection for Shealy’s trial is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Rock Hill Division. The Rock Hill Police Chief, Chris Watts, has expressed deep concern over the allegations against Shealy, asserting that they do not align with the values upheld by the department. Shealy had been a member of the Rock Hill Police Department since 2011.
Related Arrest of Teacher Raises More Concerns
In a separate incident, Doug MacAlpine, a teacher at Castle Heights Middle School and a track coach at Rock Hill High School, was arrested on multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He faces six counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor in York County. Initially taken into custody with a $25,000 bond, MacAlpine was released shortly thereafter.
School officials have confirmed MacAlpine’s arrest, clarifying that no students were involved in the case and that student safety was never at risk. The York County Sheriff’s Office investigation revealed that the digital files under scrutiny contained child sexual abuse material. However, authorities established that the content was not produced by MacAlpine and no local children were implicated in the material.
Following the initial charges, MacAlpine was further charged with voyeurism after investigators discovered new evidence on his phone, including footage of filming a female staff member without her knowledge. This voyeurism charge stems from an incident recorded in April 2024 at Castle Heights Middle School. After this latest charge, MacAlpine was released on an additional $5,000 surety bond, in addition to the previous $25,000 bond.
Educational Institutions Respond
School officials, while addressing the alarming cases involving both Shealy and MacAlpine, have expressed their ongoing commitment to ensuring student safety and maintaining the highest professional standards among their staff. They reiterated that the investigations into both individuals confirmed no direct threat to students in either case.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the Rock Hill community remains on alert, grappling with the implications of these serious allegations against individuals who were trusted members of its educational and law enforcement systems.
Continued updates regarding the cases against Shealy and MacAlpine are anticipated as court proceedings progress, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety and accountability within the community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Rock Hill Teacher Doug MacAlpine Arrested Again on Peeping Charges
Castle Heights Middle School Teacher Faces Disturbing Allegations
Rock Hill School Teacher Arrested for Peeping Charges
Rock Hill Teacher Faces More Legal Trouble in Voyeurism Case
Rock Hill Teacher Faces New Charges After Child Exploitation Arrest
Rock Hill Teacher Doug MacAlpine Arrested for Peeping Charges
Rock Hill Teacher Arrested Again on Peeping Charge
Rock Hill Teacher Faces Serious Charges After Two Arrests
York County Council Approves Pay Raise for Sheriff’s Office Deputies
Rock Hill School Teacher Arrested Amid Serious Charges
Additional Resources
- QC News: Jury Selection Begins in Federal Child Pornography Case
- WCNC: Teacher and Track Coach Charged with Child Sexual Exploitation
- WCCB: Rock Hill Teacher Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
- Herald Online: Local Crime News
- WBTV: Rock Hill Teacher Faces New Charge Following Ongoing Investigation
- Wikipedia: Child Exploitation
- Google Search: Rock Hill Child Sexual Exploitation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abuse
- Google Scholar: Child Exploitation Case
- Google News: Rock Hill Teacher Arrest
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
