BREAKING: A former employee of the Visalia Unified School District, De Jaun Jones, has been charged with multiple felony sexual abuse counts following disturbing allegations involving underage girls. The Tulare County District Attorney’s office has filed 11 felony counts against Jones for misconduct during the 2022-2023 school year, marking a shocking escalation in a case that has already garnered significant attention.
Attorney Brendan Gilbert, representing the victim, confirmed that a recent ruling awarded the victim $8 million in a sexual abuse case against the school district. Gilbert described Jones as “a textbook predator,” stating that he has victimized young females at various jobs throughout his career. The allegations against Jones date back to 2023, when he was accused of exchanging nude photos with a 15-year-old girl and engaging in inappropriate touching while serving as a campus supervisor at Mount Whitney High School in Visalia.
Gilbert revealed that Jones had previously been terminated from Mount Whitney High in 2013 due to similar allegations, raising serious questions about the district’s decision to rehire him in 2022. “Mount Whitney High School did everything right in 2013 by releasing Jones, but they did everything wrong by bringing him back,” said Gilbert. This lapse has raised alarms among parents and community members, as Jones is also accused of grooming high school girls and normalizing inappropriate behavior.
In a shocking twist, Gilbert is now representing a second teen who has come forward with accusations against Jones, further highlighting the gravity of this case. Authorities report that at least three young women have presented credible allegations of sexual abuse and inappropriate conduct by Jones, who has also faced similar accusations in his past roles, including at Monache High School in the Porterville Unified School District and an In-Shape gym.
As the case develops, the Visalia Unified School District has yet to comment, despite repeated requests for a statement. The preliminary hearing for Jones’ criminal case is scheduled for November 13, where he faces potential prison time and mandatory registration as a sex offender if convicted.
This unfolding situation has ignited discussions about safety in schools and the responsibilities of educational institutions to protect students. Parents and community members are urged to stay informed as this case progresses, with ongoing implications for the Visalia school district and broader conversations about safeguarding minors.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. For real-time news, follow Vince Ybarra on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
