Former High School Student to Receive $8M Settlement Over Molestation by School Staff Member

A former Mt. Whitney High School student will receive an $8 million settlement after she sued the Visalia Unified School District alleging she was molested by a school staff member. The plaintiff, who was a 15-year-old sophomore at the time, alleges that during 2022-2023 school year she was groomed and sexually assaulted by Dejaun Jones, a former campus supervisor.

Jones was arrested by Visalia police April 20, 2023 and charged with 11 felony counts of sex-related crimes, including sexual assault, showing pornography to a minor, and lewd act upon a child. He is expected to return to court Nov. 13 for a preliminary hearing.

Read more at The Fresno Bee