Teacher charged with improper sexual contact

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested and charged Fernando Chavez, 31, of Hazlehurst, a teacher employed at Jeff Davis High School, with one count of improper sexual contact with a student and one count of interference with custody.
Last Friday, the school system released a report saying the system had been made aware of the allegations involving Chavez. The district began an investigation and contacted the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
As of Friday, the Chavez was no longer serving in any capacity at Jeff Davis High School or within Jeff Davis County Schools.
“The district takes all allegations of this nature seriously,” the statement said. “We want to assure the community that the safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority.”
After being made aware of the issue, the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate the allegations that Chavez, while employed as a teacher with Jeff Davis County Schools, had inappropriate contact with a student. The inappropriate contact occurred away from school grounds during the previous school year.
Chavez was booked into the Jeff Davis County Jail.
In a called meeting Monday, the Jeff Davis County Board of Education accepted Chavez’ resignation.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI’s Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at 912-389-4103. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.