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Former South Gwinnett band director indicted on 21 counts of sexually assaulting students

A former South Gwinnett High School band director accused of carrying on sexual relationships with students was indicted on 21 sexual assault charges this week.

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By
Cailin O'Brien
GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — A former South Gwinnett High School band director accused of carrying on sexual relationships with students was indicted on 21 sexual assault charges this week.

Villie Jones resigned from his job in May after an 18-year-old student reported Jones had raped her several times. She said he last touched her inappropriately in March.

The student also gave authorities names of other students who Jones allegedly had sexual contact with.

The former band teacher was arrested on May 4 and was held in Gwinnett County jail without bond. At the time, he was facing four counts of sexual assault

But on Wednesday, a grand jury found probable cause to formally accuse Jones of 21 counts of sexual assault by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority. The indictment accused Jones of kissing, touching and molesting four girls - all of whom were students at South Gwinnett.

A majority of the inappropriate encounters took place around the school, in classrooms, lab rooms, uniform rooms and Jones' office.

At least one girl was under 16 years old when Jones victimized her. Another experienced bleeding after the band teacher's advances.

Principal Monique Lee shared her disapproval in a letter to parents and guardians at the time.

"I share with you that as an educator and a South Gwinnett parent myself, these allegations are disturbing," she wrote.

South Gwinnett hasn't been the only school plagued by teachers accused of sexual misconduct in the spring.

Parkview High School teacher and former University of Georgia football standout Mikey Henderson was also arrested in May after it was discovered he'd allegedly been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student for at least two years.

Meadowcreek High School physical education teacher and track coach Ronnie Jackson was arrested that same month. He was accused of sexually assaulting a student in the school's gym on April 20.

Providence Christian Academy substitute teacher and coach Derren Evans, also arrested in May, has been accused of trying to rub a student's shoulders, kiss her neck and grab her breasts and rear end at the school.

"This type of behavior between a teacher and students is not acceptable," Lee wrote. "Our students, our community and the teaching profession deserve better."

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