JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A former longtime music teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to four felony charges related to illegal contact with a student.
Jeffrey Clayton agreed to plead guilty to two counts of offenses against students by authority figures; indecent, lewd or lascivious touching of certain minors and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
As part of a plea agreement, Clayton has agreed not to ask the court for a light sentence in exchange for the state agreeing not to press any additional charges related to his employment at Douglas Anderson.
Seven potential female victims will be allowed to testify at Clayton’s sentencing hearing in a few weeks, although he is not admitting any guilt related to them.
Clayton now faces a range of nearly three years to 40 years in Florida State Prison, which a judge will decide.
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Criminal defense attorney and former longtime prosecutor Curtis Fallgatter, who is not involved with this case, said plea agreements like this are fairly standard.
“Seven victims is going to be a difficult situation to even try to justify why you should give some kind of leniency,” Fallgatter said.
Douglas Anderson alum Shyla Jenkins has been watching the case closely and pushing for accountability at the school.
“For this to finally happen, it was just, you know, relief,” Jenkins said.
On the afternoon of March 17, 2023, a 16-year-old student at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts went to a one-on-one singing lesson with Clayton. Clayton, 65, sat next to the student and professed his romantic feelings for her before he rubbed her thighs and leaned in to kiss her multiple times.
The victim confided in a friend about the incident, which led to a home visit by a Department of Children and Families representative and a Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy visit, which then alerted the victim’s parents.
The Duval County School Board Police then became involved.
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On March 21, 2023, law enforcement set up a 30-minute controlled call between the victim and Clayton, in which he made numerous incriminating statements relating to the incident and potential future romantic gestures he wanted to pursue, according to the State Attorney.
The victim also provided law enforcement text messages Clayton had sent her.
Further investigation revealed additional female students who came forward upon hearing of Clayton’s actions and arrest and gave information about their interactions with him.
The school district has not answered News4JAX’s questions about whether an investigation by an outside law firm into the school has been completed, referring to statements the school board chair made at a meeting earlier this month, saying school board members had been briefed on the investigation but had been advised not to share that information due to ongoing litigation.
Many have blamed the former principal at Douglas Anderson, Jackie Cornelius, for turning a blind eye from allegations against Clayton over the years. She previously told News4JAX that never happened, but in light of hearing about seven other possible victims on Wednesday, News4JAX reached out again.
Cornelius said she can’t comment as long as the district is involved.
Clayton will remain out of jail on a $100,000 bond until he is sentenced on June 14.
Clayton’s attorney said his client would not be able to comment until sentencing.