Jeff Davis County teacher arrested for inappropriate sexual contact with a student

JEFF DAVIS COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Jeff Davis County teacher for improper sexual contact with a student.

Fernando Chavez, 31, of Hazlehurst was charged with one count of Improper Sexual Contact with a Student and one count of Interference with Custody.

On Aug. 14, the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigation allegations that Chavez had inappropriate relations with a student while employed with the district.

The alleged inappropriate contact occurred away from school grounds during the previous school year, according to a press release from the GBI.

Upon receiving the allegations, the Jeff Davis County School District said it immediately began an investigation and contacted the sheriff’s office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

As of Friday, the employee is no longer serving in any capacity at Jeff Davis High School or within Jeff Davis County Schools.

According to public records, He graduated from the high school he now teaches at. He’s also been a middle school Soccer coach.

Chavez is a Spanish Teacher for the High School. He was voted as last October’s ‘Student Choice Teacher of the Month’.

Chavez has worked at the high school since 2024. He has 6 years of teaching as a Pre-K para-professional prior to that. He also worked at Jeff Davis Pre-K previously.

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

WTOC has reached out to the superintendent of Jeff Davis County Schools, and we are waiting to hear back.

Law enforcement responds to allegations involving Jeff Davis High School employee

Jeff Davis County Sheriff Preston Bohannon said he was contacted by high school officials regarding misconduct allegations on Friday.

According to officials, Sheriff Bohannon asked the Georgia Bureau of GBI for help after the allegations were explained to him. The Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office said the GBI is actively investigating the complaint.

“As the investigation continues, additional information will be released when it becomes available and can be shared. We appreciate the community’s patience, understanding & support as this matter is thoroughly investigated,” wrote the sheriff’s office in a social media post.

Chavez was booked into the Jeff Davis County Jail. The case file will be turned over to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit DA’s Office for prosecution once the investigation is complete.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI’s Douglas Regional Office at 912-389-4103. Anonymous tips can be given through 1-800-597-8477 or online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online.