Jeff Davis High School Teacher Arrested on Sexual Contact With Student, Custody Interference Charges

HAZLEHURST, Ga. – A Jeff Davis County Schools teacher has been arrested following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate contact with a student, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The GBI identified the teacher as Fernando Chavez, 31, of Hazlehurst. Chavez was charged with one count of Improper Sexual Contact with a Student and one count of Interference with Custody.

According to the Jeff Davis County Schools website, Chavez is listed as a foreign language teacher at Jeff Davis High School.

The investigation began Friday, Aug. 14, after the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the GBI regarding allegations involving Chavez and a student.

Investigators said the alleged inappropriate contact occurred away from school grounds during the previous school year. The GBI did not release the student’s age or provide additional details about the alleged contact.

Jeff Davis County Schools Says Employee No Longer Serving District

Jeff Davis County Schools also issued a statement Friday addressing the allegations.

The district said it became aware of allegations involving an employee at Jeff Davis High School and immediately began an investigation while contacting the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office and GBI.

“As of today, the employee is no longer serving in any capacity at Jeff Davis High School or within Jeff Davis County Schools,” the district said.

School officials did not specify whether Chavez had been terminated, resigned or was otherwise removed from his position.

“The district takes all allegations of this nature seriously,” the statement continued. “We want to assure the community that the safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority.”