BREAKING: A former supervisor at Mount Whitney High School, De Jaun Jones, is facing 11 felony counts of sexual abuse after disturbing allegations emerged involving multiple young women. The Tulare County District Attorney’s office confirmed the charges today, stemming from incidents during the 2022-2023 school year.
Attorney Brendan Gilbert, representing the victims, revealed that Jones has a troubling history, having previously been fired from the same school in 2013 for similar misconduct. “He’s a textbook predator,” Gilbert stated, emphasizing that Jones has allegedly victimized minors throughout his career.
The allegations include exchanging nude photos with a 15-year-old girl and engaging in inappropriate touching while serving as a campus supervisor. Gilbert highlighted the school district’s failure, saying, “They did everything right in 2013 when they fired him, but they did everything wrong when they rehired him in 2022.”
Gilbert’s representation now extends to a second teen who has come forward with accusations against Jones. Reports indicate that he has also faced similar allegations while employed at Monache High School in the Porterville Unified School District and at an In-Shape gym.
Authorities are taking these accusations seriously, as at least three young women have stepped forward with credible claims of sexual abuse and inappropriate behavior. The victims have recently been awarded $8 million in a civil case against the Visalia Unified School District, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The Visalia Unified School District has not responded to multiple requests for comment from Action News regarding these ongoing allegations.
Jones’ preliminary hearing is set for November 13, 2023. If convicted, he faces significant prison time and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
This developing story highlights the urgent need for accountability and protection for students in educational environments. Stay tuned for updates as this case unfolds. For real-time news, follow Vince Ybarra on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
