J.H. Williams Middle School teacher arrested on rape charges

An Abbeville man, a teacher at a local middle school, has been charged with three counts of rape.
Abbeville Police arrested James Harber shortly before 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Harber, 31, is listed as a seventh grade teacher at J.H. Williams Middle School. Harber had been placed on administrative leave from the Vermilion Parish School System prior to his arrest.
“The Abbeville Police Department has been engaged in an investigation involving sexual allegations involving minors,” Abbeville Police Department Lt. David Hardy said.
Harber faces one charge of first-degree rape and two counts of second-degree rape.
He is currently being held in the Vermilion Parish Correction Center. His bond totaled $300,000 for the three counts.
Harber could face additional charges.
“A search warrant was conducted on Harber’s residence,” Hardy said. “Officers collected evidence pertaining to the investigation.
That evidence collected from the search warrant has been shared with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, which is now seeking additional charges against Harber.
Hardy said the Abbeville Police Department has contacted a federal agency to seek charges against Harber involving child pornography.