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St. Joseph-Ogden HS Teacher Charged With Criminal Sexual Assault
Story date: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 from Illinois Public Media News
A former student at St. Joseph-Ogden High School may sue the school district for not doing enough to stop a teacher who was allegedly having sexual contact with her.
Jon Jamison, 33, is currently facing two counts of criminal sexual assault for having inappropriate contact with two former students.
The case was brought to the attention of the Champaign County Sheriff’s office by a third former student, who claims she was abused by Jamison. She notified her attorney, Tom Bruno, who then alerted the sheriff’s department.
Bruno said because of the type of contact the teacher allegedly had with his client, the statute of limitations has run out. However, Bruno said the sexual contact was more severe with the two other former students, which is why the two criminal sexual assault charges related to those cases stand.
“Thankfully my client resisted (Jamison’s) more serious advances,” Bruno said.
Lt. Ed Ogle of the Champaign County Sheriff’s office said Jamison turned himself into authorities Tuesday night after a warrant had been issued for his arrest. The investigation led authorities to the two other victims.
“We don’t have very much more to do to be quite honest unless others step forward, but we don’t know if that’s going to happen or not, or if there are any others,” Ogle said.
Bruno claims the school district knew about the abuse, and did nothing to stop it. As a result, he said, his client wants the school district to be held accountable for damages caused by the abuse, which he said went on during her four years at the school.
“We have reason to believe that the school district knew,” Bruno said. “That’s manifested by the fact that there was a meeting in the principal’s office more than four years ago when this was discussed, and yet the school district failed to follow through and notify law enforcement at the time or the Department of Children and Family Services.”
Bruno said his client is holding off on suing the school district to see if a settlement can be reached.
Meanwhile, School District Superintendent James Acklin said Jamison has been placed on paid administrative leave.
“We make our decisions based on what’s best for the student body, and although this is a difficult situation, when you keep that priority in mind, your decisions becomes easier,” Acklin said. “Our first priority here at (St. Joseph-Ogden High School) has always been and will always be the safety of our students.”
Jamison has been with the school district since 2001, working as a bus driver, track and cross country coach, teacher’s aide, and special education teacher.
He is now free on bond.
