Brent Michael Jones

RAVENSWOOD — A former high school teacher in Jackson County is in a regional jail after his arrest on Friday on charges of having sexual relations with a student, according to authorities.

Brent Michael Jones, 33, was charged with two counts of sexual conduct with a student at Ravenswood High School, according to Sheriff R.H Mellinger. Jones was remanded to the South Central Regional Jail pending $200,000 cash or surety bond on the felonies.

Jones resigned Friday afternoon, Superintendent Will Hosaflook said in a joint video announcement with Mellinger. Jones taught at Ravenswood High.

“He no longer works for the Jackson County Schools,” Hosaflook said.

Authorities were informed of the situation late Thursday night, “and then we jumped on it this (Friday) morning,” Mellinger said.

From left, Jackson County Schools Superintendent Will Hosaflook and Sheriff R.H. Mellinger announced on Friday the arrest of Brent Michael Jones, 33, who resigned Friday as a teacher at Ravenswood High School. Jones, who is in the South Central Regional Jail on $200,000 bond, is accused of two counts of sexual conduct with a student, Mellinger said. (Photo Provided)

The investigation was led by detectives with the sheriff’s office and the Ravenswood Police Department, SHIELD program coordinator Tom Speece and school resource officer Bobby Knox, he said.

“In these types of matters, individuals who have done this are only guaranteed second place. They’re not going to win when they mess with our children,” Mellinger said. “They cannot and will not manipulate and molest our children.”

The situation was brought to the attention of authorities by someone at the school, part of the See Something Say Something initiative, Mellinger said.

Hosaflook commended the individual who came forward and sent a text to the administration. Information was received about 11:20 p.m. Thursday and referred to law enforcement, he said.

Officials arrived at the school at 7:30 a.m. Friday and “by 9 o’clock the individual was out the door,” Hosaflook said.

“Thanks to the collaboration and swift work of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department as well as the Ravenswood PD, I believe this was handled as best as it could be handled,” Hosaflook said.

The school system and law enforcement have a good working relationship, he said. Safety of students and everyone in the schools is the priority, Hosaflook said.

“Personally, it makes my blood boil, being a dad, being a girl dad,” Mellinger said. “This type of thing absolutely infuriates me. It also shows that in a small rural community we are not exempt from these types of things happening.”

Thanksgiving break starts today in schools.

Many photos and messages about the case and the victim have been sent on student phones, Mellinger said. He encouraged parents of children spreading the information to handle the situation.

“Make no mistake about it, you’re not doing anyone any favors by promoting this by talking about it, by sending pictures … and unnecessarily spreading false information,” Mellinger said. “Make no mistake about it, if you continue to do this, from a child’s perspective, from an adult’s perspective, that is a form of cyberbullying, and it will be met with the proper investigation and dealt with accordingly.”

Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.