A Ben-Gals cheerleader, who appeared on a national television blasting a website and saying it posted rumors that ruined her life, entered a "not guilty" plea this morning to answer to charges that she allegedly had sex with a teenager. Sarah Jones was indicted last week by a Kenton County Grand Jury for first degree sexual abuse and unlawful use of electronic devices to solicit illegal activity.
Jones is accused of having sex with a Dixie Heights High School student, where she taught English. In January, Local 12 reported that Jones was the subject of a police investigation after allegations were made that she had an inappropriate relationship with a student. According to the indictment, that relationship went on between October and December of last year. Local 12 has learned that, among other things, investigators have incriminating text messages allegedly sent between Sarah and her teenage lover.
Jones' mother, Cheryl Jones was also in court today and entered a "not guilty" plea as well. She is facing a charge of tampering with physical evidence. Cheryl Jones is the principal at Twenhofel Middle School in Independence. She is on paid administrative leave.
At attorney representing both women filed a motion this morning asking the prosecution to turn over the evidence they have against the mother and daughter. The attorney also says the two women are receiving support from an unusual source-members of the victim's family.
The judge advised the two women that sharing the same attorney may not be advisable. She also reduced the bond for mother and daughter to $15,000 each and ordered them to not have any phone or text communication with the alleged victim or his family.
Sarah Jones resigned from teaching in November, the same month in which she appeared on the "Anderson Cooper Show" on Local 12 to confront a man she was suing for defamation.
Sarah Jones claimed rumors posted about her on Dirty.com, saying she'd had sex with Bengals players and had a sexually transmitted disease, were ruining her image as a role model for her students, threatening her job, and affecting her family. A U.S. District Trial judge set a trial date in the case for June.
Lawmakers strengthened Kentucky's sex abuse laws several years ago. It's now a felony for a person in authority to have consensual sexual relations with someone under 18. In other instances, Kentucky's age of consent is 16 years old.
The Bengals tell us... "the club is aware of the situation, and it's an ongoing process to collect the information that can guide appropriate actions as warranted."
