Rep. Sewell Funds HBCU That Employs Convicted Brother as Counselor

Last Updated on October 31, 2024

Alabama’s Rep. Terri Sewell’s live-in brother, who was convicted of having sex with his 17-year-old student and supplying the minor with alcohol, is now the director of counseling at Miles College.

Andrew Sewell, 41 at the time, was a principal at Dothan High School when he was convicted of three counts contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The three counts involved sex with a child and supplying her on two occasions with alcohol.

According to documents obtained by National File, he was sentenced to one year in jail with various fines. Sewell served half a year after being released from jail on good behavior.

The criminal complaint from Feb 26, 2009, alleged that Sewell “had sexual intercourse” with a 17-year-old student.

The March 16, 2009, criminal complaint added the allegation that on Feb 14, 2009, Sewell supplied a child with alcohol.

The Dothan Eagle reported on the developments of the story up until Sewell’s attorneys requested for media silence and the court documents to be sealed. Ultimately, both motions were later denied.

Dothan City School Board Chairman Steve Stokes, in an archived report obtained by National File, told The Dothan Eagle that he had been informed of Sewell’s “inappropriate relationship with a female student.”

There is no such thing as consent between a student and a teacher … Our policy is and has been that it’s inappropriate for a teacher to have a relationship with a student.

Sewell’s teaching certificates were ultimately revoked after his convictions. However, he retains the Director of Operations and Health position at Miles College, a Methodist Episcopalian HBCU in Fairfield, Alabama. According to the NCAA, Sewell’s duties include mental health care services and counseling, which may sound concerning given his prior convictions involving minors, alcohol and sex.

His sister, Rep. Sewell, has pledged support to Miles College in the past and recently. The Democratic rep announced on Oct 4 that the school would receive $850,000 in federal funding for campus safety.

Rep. Sewell has dug into the taxpayers’ wallets before — both in 2021 and 2022 — providing $499,869 and $500,000, respectively, to provide for Miles.

She has said it is a part of her vow to ensure the future “preservation” of Alabama’s HBCUs. Being that her brother is staffed at the college poses many unanswered necessary questions.

Miles College and Rep. Sewell have been pressed on the issue, but both continue to decline to provide answers.

Rep. Sewell is up for reelection as a 7-term Democrat representing Alabama’s 7th District. She is up against Republican challenger Robin Litaker.