ECS basketball coach no longer employed with school following alleged sexual misconduct with student

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A basketball coach at Evangelical Christian School is behind bars after allegedly making sexual advances toward a student.

Rial Jackson Jones Jr. appeared before a Lee County judge Thursday morning after turning himself in the night before, according to an arrest report. Parents were notified by the school about the allegations via email earlier this month, and Jones was placed on administrative leave.

The allegations were reported to the Lee County Sheriff's Office after a student notified a teacher that Jones and an 18-year-old student had likely been seeing one another since December, according to the warrant. Jones worked as a substitute teacher and coach at the school.

In court, Jones' attorney said all he and the 18-year-old did was kiss and text each other. The judge said knowing this happened with a student is reprehensible and set his bond at $100,000.

Susel Hernandez, a mom with a senior at the school, said she was shocked when she received an email from the school earlier this month about Jones being put on administrative leave, and later learned he had been arrested.

"It was heartbreaking, because as a mom, no one ever wants to hear that a baby gets taken advantage of, especially at a Christian school where we're trying to be the example to the community," Hernandez said.

"This is a man who took advantage of a child regardless of her age," she said. "He took advantage of a position of power, and he preyed on the innocent."

Jones faces a sex offense charge. He is expected to be back in court on April 27 at 8:30 a.m.

The school has not responded to requests for comment about Jones' employment status.