MURRAY, Ky. (FOX 56) — A former teacher at Murray High School was charged on Wednesday after a victim claimed to have been sexually abused by him when she was a student.
According to a press release on Sept. 11 from state police, allegations of sexual relations with students against 46-year-old Jason Shelby go as far back as 2005, but the first report made to troopers came in 2018 from the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).
“Upon receiving the report in 2018, KSP detectives began a thorough investigation; however, it was not until one victim recently came forward that enough evidence was available to obtain a warrant for Mr. Shelby,” Kentucky State Police (KSP) said in the news release.
Court documents show that on Aug. 20, a victim began cooperating in a closed investigation stemming from the 2018 reports. State police said Shelby had resigned from his teaching position in October of that year.
According to an arrest warrant, a woman told KSP that between May 2008 and February 2009, a former student had allegedly engaged in a “sexual relationship with Shelby,” who was 36 at the time.
Jason shelby, 46, was arrested on wednesday. (kentucky state police)
The victim told investigators that she, at the ages of 15 and 16, would meet up with Shelby at Chesnut Park, where they allegedly had sexual contact in his black Ford Mustang, as well as at his residence on Ninth Street in Murray.
Court documents alleged that the victim and Shelby would send emails to each other, with “code words” being used to set up times and places to meet.
On Sept. 9, an arrest warrant shows that investigators went to Shelby’s residence. At first, he was “cordial,” but when the victim’s name was mentioned, his demeanor reportedly changed, and he said he wouldn’t speak to police without an attorney.
KSP said Shelby was arrested on Sept. 10 and charged with third-degree rape and first-degree sexual abuse. He was lodged in the Calloway County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
Court records show he’s due in court at 9 a.m. on Sept. 16.
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