Anthony (Tony) Heaton, the school counselor at Shelby High School, was arrested Friday morning amidst an investigation into an alleged inappropriate relationship he had with a student.
A press release from the Cut Bank Police Department alleges that Heaton solicited nude photos of a minor (under the age of 16) through electronic communication, and sent nude photos of himself to the same minor.
The Cut Bank Police Department said that "this case may be more widespread than we have currently investigated at this point," and that the arrest of the school counselor may have an impact on students and staff at the school.
Cut Bank Police Chief Michael Schultz, Toole County Sheriff Donna Whitt, and Shelby Superintendent Elliott Crump will be at Shelby High School on Friday afternoon to answer questions from students and staff.
According to the Shelby High School website, Heaton is originally from Deer Lodge, and after serving in the US Marine Corps, he worked in the Department of Corrections, served as a probation/parole officer, and superintendent of a prison boot camp. He received a graduate degree in educational counseling from MSU-Northern in 2016, and spent three years as a school counselor in Poplar. He recently entered his second year in his current role at Shelby High School.
Heaton has been charged in Glacier County District Court on the following charges:
- FELONY SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN
- FELONY INDECENT EXPOSURE
- FELONY TAMPERING WITH WITNESSES OR INFORMANTS
We will update you as we get more information.
(UPDATE) The
Shelby Promoter
reported that Heaton posted $100,000 bond and was released on Monday, September 30, pending his next court appearance.
