UPDATE: A former campus supervisor at Mount Whitney High School, De Jaun Jones, faces 11 felony counts of sexual misconduct following disturbing allegations of abuse involving a 15-year-old girl. The charges, filed by the Tulare County District Attorney’s office, highlight a pattern of predatory behavior that has emerged from multiple victims.
Attorney Brendan Gilbert, representing the victims, revealed that Jones was awarded $8 million in a sexual abuse case against the Visalia Unified School District. “He’s a textbook predator,” Gilbert stated, emphasizing the severity of Jones’s actions throughout his career. The allegations span multiple locations, including previous employment at Monache High School in the Porterville Unified School District and an In-Shape gym.
Jones’s most recent alleged misconduct occurred during the 2022-2023 school year, where he is accused of exchanging nude photos with a minor and engaging in inappropriate touching. Gilbert stated that Jones had previously been fired from Mount Whitney High in 2013 for similar allegations, raising questions about the district’s decision to rehire him in 2022.
“This is a glaring example of how things went wrong,” Gilbert said, criticizing the district for allowing Jones back into a position of authority. He is now representing a second teenager who has also come forward with accusations against Jones, further underscoring the urgent need for accountability.
As the preliminary hearing approaches on November 13, the community is on edge. Prosecutors have confirmed that at least three young women have come forward with credible allegations against Jones. If convicted, he faces significant prison time and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
The Visalia Unified School District has not responded to multiple requests for comment. This case has sparked outrage and concern among parents and students alike, prompting discussions about safety and accountability in schools.
This developing situation continues to unfold, and more updates are expected as the legal proceedings advance. Stay tuned for more information on this urgent story. For real-time updates, follow Vince Ybarra on social media platforms.
