Loaded gun found in classroom of NC teacher accused of sexual misconduct, officials say
A high school teacher in North Carolina who was suspended without pay after a loaded gun and other weapons were found in his classroom has also been accused of sexual misconduct, according to state investigators.
Montgomery County Schools identified the teacher as Jason Hensley, who teaches health sciences and coaches varsity swimming at Montgomery Central High School in Troy. About 780 students in grades 9-12 attend the school, which is roughly 65 miles east of Charlotte.
“The school system is devastated by this serious breach of trust,” Montgomery County Schools said in a news release. “The Montgomery County Board of Education considers the safety of students the number one priority as well as ensuring that all students have a safe learning environment. Unfortunately, those standards were not met in this circumstance.”
Hensley, 47, has been suspended without pay “pending further disciplinary action,” according to the release. He did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment on Thursday, Feb. 10.
On Jan. 28 — several days before the gun was found — the Troy Police Department requested an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Hensley, according to a spokesperson with the State Bureau of Investigation.
The SBI said that investigation remains ongoing.
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Superintendent Dr. Dale Ellis contacted law enforcement on Feb. 5 to report a gun in a teacher’s classroom. When investigators and school officials entered the classroom, they found a loaded 380 caliber handgun in Hensley’s unlocked desk, the sheriff’s office said.
“After further investigation, the district also discovered additional concealed items such as knives and ammunition in the teacher’s classroom,” the school district said. “The situation was turned over to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department.”
In addition to teaching, Hensley is a part-time police officer in Mt. Gilead, North Carolina. Because North Carolina allows law enforcement officers to be on school property with a firearm as long as they aren’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Hensley will not face criminal charges regarding the weapon, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Hensley’s actions may have been in violation of the policies, directives and scope of the Montgomery County School District and or the Mount Gilead Police Department, but did not meed the elements of being illegal,” the sheriff’s office said.
Mt. Gilead Police Chief Patrick L. Preslar confirmed to McClatchy News in a statement on Feb. 11 that Hensley has worked for the department since 2013. He said Hensley was “not acting in a reserve police officer capacity” when the gun was found in his classroom, nor was it his department-issued firearm.
Hensley no longer works for the Mt. Gilead Police Department as of Feb. 7, the chief said. His gun, badge and identification have since been returned.
This story was originally published February 10, 2022 at 6:24 PM with the headline "Loaded gun found in classroom of NC teacher accused of sexual misconduct, officials say."
