UPDATE: A former employee of the Visalia Unified School District, De Jaun Jones, is facing 11 felony counts related to sexual abuse and misconduct involving minors. The allegations have surfaced following a significant $8 million settlement awarded to a victim represented by attorney Brendan Gilbert.
According to Gilbert, Jones, aged 40, was employed as a campus supervisor at Mount Whitney High School in Tulare County when he allegedly exchanged nude photographs with a 15-year-old girl and engaged in inappropriate touching during the 2022-2023 school year. Gilbert described Jones as a “textbook predator,” emphasizing his history of victimizing young females across various jobs.
Jones was previously dismissed from Mount Whitney High in 2013 due to similar allegations, a decision Gilbert claims was appropriate at the time. “They did everything right in 2013,” he stated, but criticized the district for rehiring Jones in 2022. “He should not have been rehired given his past misconduct,” Gilbert added.
The allegations against Jones extend beyond Mount Whitney High. He has also been accused of inappropriate behavior at Monache High School in the Porterville Unified School District and at an In-Shape gym. Prosecutors have confirmed that at least three young women have come forward with credible claims of abuse.
The Tulare County District Attorney’s office is pushing for justice, with Jones’ preliminary hearing scheduled for November 13. If convicted, he faces substantial prison time and mandatory sex offender registration.
Efforts to reach the Visalia Unified School District for a statement went unanswered. This case underscores the urgent need for vigilance in safeguarding students from predatory behavior, highlighting the devastating impact on victims and their families.
As developments continue to unfold, the community is urged to remain informed about this critical situation. Follow updates on this unfolding story as further details emerge.
