PETAL, Miss. (WHLT) – A former Petal teacher, who received a $25,000 Milken Educator Award in 2022, has been charged with sex crimes.

Petal police said they received a report in February 2024 from the Petal School District. In the course of an internal investigation for misconduct, Petal School District officials said they discovered several instances of criminal conduct had occurred between a teacher and several minors.

Petal police said the teacher, 34-year-old Tyler Shows, had been engaged in several questionable activities that involved at least a dozen minor students. Investigators said they executed several search warrants.

On Thursday, May 2, Petal police served Shows with three warrants for his arrest. He has been charged with distribution of sexual materials to a minor and two counts of touching a child for lustful purposes.

Police said victim statements also suggest that Shows gave alcohol and vapes to the children.

“The ages range, I don’t have that specific number, but the number of victims seems to be around maybe around half a dozen to a dozen,” said Petal Police Chief Matthew Hiatt.

Hiatt said Shows turned himself in on Thursday and waived his right to a hearing. He was booked into the Forrest County Jail. Shows’ bond was set at $125,000.

When Shows received the Milken Educator Award two years ago, he was a fifth-grade math teacher Petal Upper Elementary School. He was place on administrative leave and later resigned.

“There is no greater priority than the health, safety and welfare of our students. Our district fully cooperated and followed all applicable policies, procedures and laws regarding this case. We have many safeguards in place for students and staff, which continues to be a top priority in our school district,” said Petal School District Superintendent Matthew L. Dillon, Ph.D.