NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News educator is facing charges of sex crimes against children.
According to court documents, 45-year-old Jason Taylor faces 13 felony charges in the City of Chesapeake for incidents that happened from 2015 to 2017. Taylor is an assistant principal of operations at Warwick High School in Newport News.
News 3 reporter Kelsey Jones spoke to some students at Warwick High School. They did not want to go on camera, but they said they were feeling a bit uneasy learning this news, and their parents are outraged.
"Hearing anything like this just really curls your skin," said parent David Hall.
Court documents show Taylor was involved in several sexual acts with a child, including charges of rape.
Lori Nichols has two children who attend Warwick High. She said the news took an emotional toll on her kids.
"My daughter actually said this morning that this makes it hard and have trust issues with adults," Nichols said. "You don't know who you can trust."
According to Newport News Public Schools Director of Public Information Michelle Price, Taylor has been suspended from his position at Warwick High School.
"One of the members of the Warwick High School leadership team has been taken into police custody due to charges stemming from allegations from several years ago before the individual was employed with Newport News Public Schools," Price said in a statement to News 3.
Price also stated that the suspension is without pay.
"I know he's on suspension, but to not be able to come back in any capacity with children period. He obviously doesn't need to be around kids," said Nichols.
Court records show the victim was between the ages of 13 and 18 and that they were within Taylor's care in some capacity.
" He has been around numerous children now, young adults, and these kids are very influenceable at this age," said Nichols.
Taylor is retaining his own lawyer and plans to request bail afterward. He will appear in court next Thursday.
This is a developing story. Stay with News 3 as updates become available.
