Court Papers Detail Probe Into Child Sex-Solicitation Claims

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — A Chapel Hill teacher charged with using the Internet to solicit a child for sex now faces a new charge for allegedly taking indecent liberties with children.

The Wake County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that David Campbell Jones was served with an arrest warrant Thursday afternoon for the offense, which allegedly occurred on April 17.

On Wednesday, Orange County authorities arrested Jones, 46, a science teacher and sports coach at Guy B. Phillips Middle School.

Sheriff's deputies received a complaint on Aug. 6, from the alleged victim's father, which led to a four-day investigation, in which a detective posed as the 15-year-old boy and arranged to meet with Jones at the boy's home, according to court documents released Thursday afternoon.

Jones was arrested at about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday when he arrived at the boy's residence.

Court documents show that at the time of his arrest, Jones was carrying a tube of lubricant, two condoms and a digital camera. Police also seized condoms, lubricant, several computers, computer disks and CDs, cameras, video tapes, a hotel receipt and MapQuest directions from Jones' home and work.

Jones was charged in Orange County with one count of solicitation of a child by computer to commit an unlawful sex act. Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall, however, said the case is "wide open" and that the investigation is ongoing.

During a court appearance Thursday morning, in which Jones appeared via a closed-circuit television, Woodall asked that Jones' $1 million bond not be lowered because, he said, as a teacher and as a Boy Scouts leader, Jones had access to so many children.

"There's always fear with someone charged with this type of crime that if they are released, they might reoffend," Woodall said. "And again, in this case, I think there's a great concern that there may be additional victims that we don't know about yet."

Jones is suspended from his positions. Until now, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools officials said, he has never had any suspensions in his 23-year career with the school system.

"He has a personnel folder that is just full of letters and a number of awards," said Stephanie Knott with Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system.

The Boy Scouts of America also said that there was no previous problems with Jones.

"The Scoutmaster (has even said), this is a man who would have never told a dirty joke," said Boy Scouts of America executive John Akerman.

A counselor was on hand Wednesday and Thursday at Phillips Middle School, for any parents or students with questions or concerns.

Jones, who is currently in the Orange County Jail, is scheduled to appear in Orange County Superior Court in two weeks for a probable cause hearing.

It was not immediately known when he would appear in Wake County to face that charge since he was still in jail Thursday afternoon. The bond for the new charge in Wake County was set at $100,000.