Allen Maxwell, 47, Decaturville Elementary P.E. Teacher Charged with Child Rape

Allen Maxwell, 47, a physical education teacher at Decaturville Elementary School, was arrested by Decatur County Sheriff’s Office deputies at his Parsons home and charged with one count of rape of a child, authorities said. The arrest and a charging affidavit were filed January 9, 2026.

Court documents filed January 9, 2026, allege the sexual abuse began in January 2021 and continued until November 2022, and state the incidents occurred inside Maxwell’s vehicle within Decatur County. Those timelines and locations are drawn from the arrest warrant and supporting affidavit submitted at the time of arrest.

Decatur County Sheriff’s Office deputies took Maxwell into custody without incident, and bail was set at $250,000 at the subsequent court appearance. A local report said the presiding judge recused himself at that hearing, but the reporting on the recusal was incomplete and the court record should be obtained to confirm which judge recused and why.

Decatur County Schools moved quickly after law enforcement notified the district, placing Maxwell on administrative leave, banning him from all district campuses, and prohibiting contact with students and staff. The district provided two statements: “The district is cooperating fully with the Sheriff’s Office and is conducting its own review consistent with state law and district policy,” and “Our focus at this time is on the safety of our students, staff, and school community. Support will be available for any students or staff who may need assistance at this time.”

The district has made counseling and support services available at Decaturville Elementary School and at Riverside High School for anyone affected. Officials have not released the victim’s specific age or sex to protect identity, and they have not said whether the alleged victim is a student at Decaturville Elementary.

Anyone with information about the case or who believes they may be a victim is asked to contact the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office at (731) 852-3703 or the 24th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office. Arrest records show the criminal charge filed is one count of rape of a child; that charge remains an allegation until proven in court.

Decaturville, the county seat roughly 100 miles from both Nashville and Memphis, has seen strong local reaction since the arrest, and an original brief accompanying this reporting noted public outrage in the community. Court filings, the arrest warrant, and the Decatur County court docket remain key documents for reporters and prosecutors as the case proceeds and as officials confirm arraignment and any additional hearings.