Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault of Lone Oak KY Student

Jason E. Neelley, 34, of Metropolis, IL has been charged with sexual abuse of one of his students, according to local police. The McCracken County Sheriff’s Department arrested Neelley Monday night around 7 at his home. The situation came to the attention of authorities via an anonymous report made on Sunday. The Lone Oak High School teacher is alleged to have initiated an inappropriate relationship off of school grounds earlier this month with the student, who remains unidentified.

Detectives began investigating the report Sunday night, meeting with McCracken County attorney Tim Kaltenbach on Monday to report their evidence in the case. The conclusion of that meeting, ended in an arrest warrant issued for Neelley holding the charge of 1st degree sexual abuse. Sheriff’s detectives said Neelley then admitted to the allegations after being questioned on Monday night. He was arrested afterward, and taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail with a bond of $5000 cash set. There is no word on whether Jason Neelley has made bond, more information on the circumstances can be found at boards.library.trutv.com/showthread.php.

The arrest of Neelley comes right at the heels of a new law enacted by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed House Bill 211 into law Monday. The new bill makes for tougher penalties for adults in a position of authority who have any type of sexual contact with anyone under the age of 18 in the state. It is aimed especially toward teachers, due to the rise in cases of sexual abuse involving those in the educational system of their students.

Parents and lawmakers are hoping that this will help keep children and teens from experiencing physical and emotional damage at such a young age. They also hope to deter sexual predators who have access to children with the threat of heavy jail sentences for their crimes against the victims.