A Walton High School teacher has been arrested on felony charges following an investigation by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
On March 3, the Sheriff’s Office received a report that an ESE student at Walton High School had disclosed inappropriate behavior involving a teacher. At the same time, a separate staff member at the school reported witnessing a suspicious interaction between the same student and teacher on campus.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau immediately initiated an investigation.
The teacher, identified as Michael Lewis Jones, 72, was promptly placed on administrative leave by the Walton County School District, Florida and removed from campus.
On the morning of Friday, March 6, investigators submitted a warrant, which was reviewed and signed. Jones was taken into custody at his home Friday afternoon in Holmes County with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Task Force and Holmes County Sheriff’s Office. He was transported to the Holmes County Jail and will be extradited to Walton County.
Jones is charged with offenses against students by an authority figure, a second degree felony.
Because of the circumstances surrounding Jones’ employment and the nature of the allegations, our agency cannot rule out the possibility of additional victims. Anyone who believes they may have been harmed by Jones is encouraged to reach out to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau by calling (850)-892-8111.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming.
