URGENT UPDATE: A former employee of the Visalia Unified School District is facing 11 felony charges related to sexual abuse against minors. De Jaun Jones, aged 40, is accused of exchanging nude photos and inappropriately touching a 15-year-old girl while he was a campus supervisor at Mount Whitney High School during the 2022-2023 school year.
Attorney Brendan Gilbert, representing the victims, stated, “He’s a textbook predator. He’s victimized minor females essentially everywhere he’s gone in his life at different jobs.” Gilbert highlighted that Jones was previously fired from Mount Whitney High a decade ago for similar allegations, raising critical concerns about his rehiring in 2022.
Jones allegedly groomed high school girls, normalizing inappropriate touching and conversations during his tenure. Gilbert is now representing a second teen who has come forward with accusations against Jones. “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 emphasized.
The Tulare County District Attorney’s office has confirmed that at least three young women have provided credible allegations of sexual abuse and inappropriate behavior against Jones. Prosecutors have filed charges that could lead to significant prison time and mandatory sex offender registration if he is convicted.
The preliminary hearing for Jones’ criminal case is scheduled for November 13. The Visalia Unified School District has not responded to multiple requests for comment regarding this alarming situation.
This case has sparked outrage in the community, especially given the serious nature of the allegations and the history of misconduct associated with Jones. As the legal proceedings unfold, many are questioning the safety measures in place for students and how such incidents could be prevented in the future.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
