May 26, 2013
News
Wilkinson Teacher Faces Sexual Charges
Cristen Drummond
A Wilkinson County High School teacher is denied bond on Tuesday in magistrate court after being arrested on sex charges involving a student.
Cornelius Dontae Jones, 29, listened to the charges against him by Magistrate Vivian Cumming. The math teacher who has worked at the high school of the last two years was arrested Monday night on a child molestation charge. However, he's now also facing charges of sexual assault, aggravated sodomy and aggravated molestation
"Engaged in some behavior with a 15-year old student there that was not appropriate," Wilkinson County Sheriff Richard Chatman said.
Chatman first heard about it Saturday when Wilkinson School's Superintendent Aaron Geter Jr. told him about his concerns of the accused and a female student. It's alleged the student performed oral sex on Jones in his classroom. Geter said this incident is a first in his four years as superintendent.
"The care of our kids is what's most important and we're very concerned when something like this happens and we're committed to finding out and making sure our children our taken care of," Geter said.
Sheriff Chatman said majority of the classrooms at Wilkinson County High School have cameras. He and his team of investigators reviewed footage from the last 30 days and said there have been other incidents between the teacher and student."
"A lot of hugging and we'll classify it that way,” he said. “As far as it being an ongoing relationship over a period of time, we weren't able to establish that."
Jones waived his right to a commitment hearing and will sit behind bars until a bond is set by a superior court judge.
Jones turned in his letter of resignation on Monday. It will go before the Wilkinson County Board of Education's February meeting for formal approval. Sheriff Chatman said he expects to have the investigation finished in the next few days.
