Alissa McCommon.Photo:Covington Police Department/ Facebook
Covington Police Department/ Facebook
On Friday, Alissa McCommon, 38, of Covington, was arrested and charged with rape of a child, the Covington Police Department and the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
She was arrested at her home in Covington.
The mother of two was taken to the Tipton County jail where she was held on a $25,000 bond.
On Aug. 24, allegations from a parent were brought to Tipton County Schools Superintendent Dr. John Combs' attention, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rebekah Byrd said in a statement.
Alissa McCommon.Covington Police Department/ Facebook
Later that morning, McCommon, who taught English Language Arts and Social Studies at Charger Academy, was suspended from her position because of the allegations, Byrd said in the statement.
Covington police detectives began investigating when they received information on Aug. 24 from the Tennessee Department of Children Services about a report of allegations of sexual misconduct involving a teacher and a former student, police said in the statement.
McCommon allegedly admitted to communicating inappropriately with former students, say police.
There has been no evidence that any of the alleged activities occurred on any school campus.
Detectives from the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office and the Covington Police Department began working together after receiving information “regarding a victim or victims who were exposed to similar circumstances within the county’s jurisdiction, outside of Covington city limits,” the statement said.
Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses and identify other potential victims in the case.
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Detectives have met with the District Attorney’s Office about the ongoing multi-jurisdictional investigation. Additional charges are expected.
“Covington Police Department Detectives continue to investigate this terrible exploitation and abuse of these young boys,” Chief Turner said of the allegations in the statement.
“We expect to also develop the investigation to determine accountability of other adults in the case, including those who were aware of the abuse, and those who allowed or provided locations for such illegal acts to occur,” she said.
“I have also spoken with the US Attorney’s Office, and we intend to pursue any appropriate federal charges related to the sexual exploitation of these victims utilizing cellphones, inappropriate relations, and activities across jurisdictional State lines.
“We will prosecute this case to the fullest and will continue to support the victims and their families during all aspects of the investigation.”
She also said that while the district is “not privy to all of the details of law enforcement’s ongoing investigation, Tipton County Schools is cooperating with those agencies throughout the process.”
“Until all the facts can be presented, the public should reserve judgment and remember that in a free society we must rely on the criminal justice system to do its job," the attorneys said.
McCommon is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 13.
Anyone is asked to contact the Covington Police Department CID at 901-475-1261 or the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office CID at 901-475-3300.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
