A 55-year-old Alabama elementary school teacher is under arrest, accused of sexual crimes involving a student.
Johnny Mark Dunaway, who taught at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary in Dothan, is charged with seven counts of enticing a child for immoral purposes, one count of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old, and one count of interference with custody.
Police said the arrests followed repeated claims against this white brute that were initially handled internally by school officials.
The pedophile is being held without bond in the Houston County Jail.
Dothan police Lt. Scott Owens said additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.
With knowledge of previous teaching positions held by the pervert, he said, investigators’ findings will be shared with the appropriate jurisdictions.
The investigation began May 6 when the Houston County Department of Human Resources notified Dothan police about reports of a school employee engaged in inappropriate activity with a student.
Investigators were told the employee had been placed on administrative leave by the school and no longer around children at the school.
Detectives learned a report was made to Dothan City Schools in February about there being inappropriate conduct involving Dunaway. The complaint was handled internally by Dothan City Schools.
Another report was made on April 28, about the pedophile engaged in similar inappropriate conduct with a student.
Again, police said, school officials began an internal investigation.
Seven days later, on May 6th, school officials notified Houston County Department of Human Resources about the complaint, which was then forwarded to police.
Shortly after the investigation started, the student, in a forensic interview, disclosed allegations of sexual crimes.
Police carried out a search warrant on May 13 at Dunaway’s Dale County home. Several items were seized and are in the process of forensic examination.
Additionally, several court orders were sent for various social media and gaming platforms.
“The level of trust given to school employees that encounter our children is not one to be taken lightly,” Police Chief William Benny said. “When there is evidence that trust has been violated, the Dothan Police Department will not hesitate to take action to protect the children in our schools.”
“The safety of our children is non-negotiable,” the chief said. “The Dothan Police Department will devote every available resource to investigating crimes against children, and anyone who exploits a position of trust to victimize a child should expect our full commitment to pursuing justice.”
Dustin Fowler, an attorney for Dothan City Schools, said Thursday that school and school board officials had already begun the process of terminating Dunnaway prior to his arrest.
Because Dunaway was tenured, Fowler said, they were complying with mandated notice provisions of Alabama law and other due process requirements.
Fowler said school and board officials had no knowledge that a complaint had been made about Dunnaway in February.
“The safey and well-being of Dothan City Schools students are the highest priority of Board Chairman Dr. Turner, the Dothan City Board of Education, and Superintendent Dr. Askew, and will remain this administrations top priority.”
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