WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — A Walton High School teacher has been arrested on a felony charge following an investigation by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office into alleged misconduct involving a student.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation began on March 3 after receiving a report that an ESE student at Walton High School disclosed inappropriate behavior involving a teacher.
At the same time, another staff member reportedly told school officials they had witnessed a suspicious interaction between the same student and teacher on campus, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau immediately began investigating the allegations.
Investigators identified the teacher as Michael Lewis Jones, 72. The Walton County School District reportedly placed Mr Jones on administrative leave and removed him from campus following the report.
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According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, investigators submitted an arrest warrant Friday morning, March 6, which was reviewed and signed.
Mr Jones was taken into custody later that afternoon at his home in Holmes County with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Task Force and the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office.
He was transported to the Holmes County Jail and is expected to be extradited to Walton County.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said Mr Jones is charged with offenses against students by an authority figure, a second-degree felony.
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Because of the circumstances surrounding his employment and the nature of the allegations, investigators said they cannot rule out the possibility of additional victims.
Anyone who believes they may have been harmed by Mr Jones is asked to contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau at 850-892-8111.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Mr Jones is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
