GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A former high school band director was arrested Thursday night and remains jailed on sexual assault charges.
According to police, at least four students from South Gwinnett High School claim they were sexually assaulted by the former band director, Villie Jones.
Warrants indicate this started in 2015, just six months after Jones was hired.
"It was going around, but I didn't want to believe it until they actually brought in some evidence. And they did," student Alexander Gabriel said.
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Students learned that Jones is charged with four counts of sexual assault on Friday morning.
"We got emails from a police officer saying we were going to have a new instructor," student Meribah Baxter said.
The school says Jones resigned before he was arrested.
"I know them personally, so it's kind of sad to think about it. I know they had a relationship-type, but I didn't think it was that deep. I thought it was a good student, good teacher thing. But apparently it was a little more than that," Baxter said.
Authorities have denied Jones bond, citing him a danger to the community.
In a letter to parents, South Gwinnett's principal called the allegations disturbing and the alleged conduct unacceptable.
Jones' first appearance is scheduled for this weekend, but he won't have a chance to ask for bond until Wednesday.