A Jefferson County substitute teacher has been arrested following allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct involving a student, according to jail records and school officials.
Authorities identified the accused as Crystal Veronica Rankin, 43, who faces a felony charge of a school employee engaging in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student. The charge was listed in Jefferson County Jail records.
Investigators reported that the alleged incident occurred on May 11. However, officials have not released additional details regarding the circumstances of the case, and information about the student involved has been withheld to protect the individual’s privacy.
At the time of the allegations, Rankin was serving as a substitute teacher at Oak Grove High School.
Jail records indicate that Rankin was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at approximately 2:08 p.m. Wednesday. She was released later that afternoon at approximately 2:48 p.m. after posting bond. Court records show her bond was set at $30,000.
Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin confirmed that the school district is aware of the allegations and is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities as the investigation continues.
In a statement, Gonsoulin emphasized that the district’s primary concern remains the safety and well-being of its students.
According to school officials, administrators immediately contacted the third-party staffing agency responsible for providing substitute teachers after learning of the allegations. The district requested that Rankin no longer be assigned to any school within the system.
Gonsoulin also stated that the allegations reportedly involve an off-campus incident. Because of the active investigation and privacy concerns surrounding the student involved, the district declined to provide additional details.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the case and are working to gather further information regarding the circumstances surrounding the allegations.
As with all criminal cases, the charge against Rankin represents an accusation, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is based on preliminary reports from law enforcement officials and public records available at the time of publication. Investigations are ongoing, and details may change as additional information becomes available. Readers are encouraged to rely on official statements and court proceedings for the most current and accurate information.
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