Former School Employee Charged with 11 Felony Sex Crimes

UPDATE: A former campus supervisor at Mount Whitney High School, De Jaun Jones, has been charged with 11 felony counts of sexual misconduct involving minors, according to the Tulare County District Attorney’s office. This urgent case follows disturbing allegations that surfaced during the 2022-2023 school year, where at least three young women reported incidents of sexual abuse and inappropriate behavior.

Attorney Brendan Gilbert, representing the victims, disclosed that one victim was awarded $8 million in a recent civil case against the Visalia Unified School District. Gilbert described Jones as a “textbook predator,” claiming he has a history of victimizing young females across various positions. “He should not have been rehired by the district in 2022 given that they had released him 10 years before for very serious misconduct,” Gilbert stated.

In 2023, Jones allegedly exchanged nude photos with a 15-year-old girl and engaged in inappropriate touching. Disturbingly, this was not an isolated incident; he had been previously fired from Mount Whitney High in 2013 for similar allegations. Gilbert emphasized the negligence of the school district, noting that they had acted correctly when terminating Jones but failed to uphold those standards upon his return.

Jones is not only under scrutiny for his time at Mount Whitney High School but also for his conduct during his tenure at Monache High School in the Porterville Unified School District and at a local In-Shape gym. His preliminary hearing is set for November 13, where he faces potential prison time and mandatory sex offender registration if convicted.

As the investigation unfolds, Gilbert has now taken on a second case representing another teen who has accused Jones of abuse. The community is left reeling from these revelations, highlighting the urgent need for accountability within school districts to protect students from such predators.

Action News has made multiple attempts to reach the Visalia Unified School District for comment but has yet to receive a response. Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story continues to unfold. For the latest information, follow us on social media.