JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A former Duval County Public Schools teacher who pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with a student was sentenced Friday to a total of 10 years in prison by Judge Tatiana Salvador.
Jeffrey Clayton was arrested in March of last year. He was the chair of the vocal department at Douglas Anderson for almost 23 years.
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Clayton pleaded guilty to 4 charges stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct with students. On the first two counts, Clayton was sentenced to 10 years for each count, which will run concurrently. On the second two counts, Salvador sentenced Clayton to five years on each count, which will run concurrently.
The State Attorney’s Office said since the sentences are running concurrently, Clayton is sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison.
According to police, a parent dropped a student off at the school for 1-on-1 singing lessons with Clayton to prepare for an upcoming performance. An arrest warrant says the teacher talked about his romantic and intoxicating feelings for the student. He also rubbed the student’s thighs and leaned in to kiss her multiple times.
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The victim told a friend, which eventually led to an investigation.
Since his arrest, 3 other DA teachers have been removed from the classroom because of their behavior.
Read: Victim interview details former Douglas Anderson teacher’s alleged inappropriate touching
Clayton’s arrest and the ongoing allegations of sexual conduct at the school led to Principal Tina Wilson eventually stepping down and was the main driving force behind the school board’s decision to oust former superintendent Dr. Diana Greene.
Salvador said that Clayton would also serve three years of probation after his prison after his prison sentence is complete.
Read: Duval School Board approves Diana Greene’s separation agreement from district with 4-3 vote
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