Northumberland County VA deputy sheriff arrested for sex crimes with student www.privateofficer.com

 

 

Northumberland County VA Feb 25 2012 A Northumberland County deputy, sworn to protect the children that attend the local high school, is currently sitting in a jail cell accused of carrying on a sexual relationship with a female student under his watch.

On Thursday, Feb. 23 Deputy Derek Jones, 44, a school resource officer at Northumberland High School Resource Officer Derek Jones has been charged with sex crimes related to an alleged sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.
Northumberland High School, was charged with one count of taking indecent liberties with a child under the age of 15 by a person in a custodial or supervisory position.

The charges stem from an investigation that began on Feb. 22, when a teacher was alerted to the criminal activity.

“This was reported by another student to a school staff member who immediately alerted Social Services,” Northumberland County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jane Wrightson said during a Feb. 24 interview. “Social Services then contacted the sheriff’s office and the commonwealth’s attorney’s office.”

Wrightson said that Jones, who has been a deputy for a number of years, was suspended from duty on Wednesday and is currently being held without bond at the Lancaster County Jail pending his arraignment Monday, Feb. 27.

She added that due to the obvious conflict of interest in Northumberland, Lancaster Investigator Joanie Kent has taken the lead on the investigation with assistance from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

“Additionally, as of about 3 p.m. today Judge Taliaferro appointed Westmoreland Commonwealth’s Attorney Julia Sichol as the special prosecutor,” Wrightson said.

Although she would not comment as to where or when the alleged incidents occurred, Wrightson said that additional charges would be pending further investigation.

The arrest has shocked a community already reeling from last year’s arrest of 5th grade math teacher Christopher “C. J.” Richardson, who has been indicted for multiple felony and misdemeanor charges including indecent acts with a child, abuse of a child with disregard for life, purchase of alcohol for minor and distribution of marijuana to minors. Richardson’s trial is scheduled for April 18.

Northumberland Sheriff Charles Wilkins was unavailable for comment by presstime.

Kent said that more information would be released by Lancaster Capt. Martin Shirilla as it became available.