An Athens Middle School administrator was leery of a man entering a school dance Friday night and alerted police. Her tip led to the arrest of a convicted sex offender.

Athens police arrested Gregory Ray Brooks, 25, of 12220 Lukers Way, Athens, a convicted sex offender who was on school property with a 14-year-old girl.

He was charged with violating the Community Notification Act (loitering on school property) and public intoxication.

Brooks arrived at the middle school with a 14-year-old girl to attend a dance.

He was stopped at the door by faculty members, including AMS Assistant Principal JoAnna May, who told Brooks he could not enter the dance.

“She knew he was not a student at the school and that he claimed to be 17,” said Capt. Marty Bruce. “She was suspicious and called Detective Katrina Flanagan, who was working security at the dance.

“Detective Flanagan stepped inside the gym to talk to a witness for a moment and Brooks ran to the laundromat at the corner of Forrest and Clinton streets,” Bruce said. “Sergeant Fred Millward located Brooks there. Detective Flanagan, Sergeant Millward and Detective Johnny Morell talked to Brooks again and determined he was a convicted sex offender.”

Brooks was convicted of first-degree sodomy on May 3, 2004, Bruce said.

“Due to the actions of the faculty members and assistant principal at Athens Middle School, no students had contact with Brooks and no students were in danger,” Bruce said.

“During the time Brooks was on campus, faculty members and the assistant principal escorted students from their cars to the gym, and no students were allowed to go outside.”

Brooks was transferred to the Limestone County jail, where he remained Monday.