Asheboro police have arrested Amber Elizabeth Walker, a former high school counselor and girls’ basketball coach at Asheboro High School, on Friday for allegedly engaging in sexual misconduct with a student.
Walker, 39, was charged with two felony counts of sex acts with a minor under North Carolina law. If convicted on both charges, she could face up to 94 months in prison.
During a hearing on the charges, Walker’s attorney argued that her client is not a flight risk because she resides in Guilford County with her 2-year-old son and parents. The defense also noted that Walker poses no risk of reoffending as she no longer works for the school district.
A judge denied bond for Walker due to Iryna’s Law, which classifies the charges as violent offenses. The law was enacted in October 2025 following the tragic murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte commuter train. Under this law, defendants must post secured bonds and cannot be released on unsecured bonds.
Walker’s bond was set at $50,000, and she was ordered to have no contact with the victim. Reports indicate Walker was crying throughout the hearing.
Asheboro City Schools fired Walker on Friday, after hiring her in February 2018. Police stated they received a tip accusing Walker of sexual activity with an underage student two days before the alleged incident, leading to her arrest within hours.
Walker is scheduled to appear in court on May 26.
