Jackson County

Authorities investigating allegations against ex-staff member at Coast high school

By Margaret Baker and Martha Sanchez

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday it is investigating “allegations of inappropriate behavior” involving a former staff member at St. Martin High School.

Details of the allegations were not immediately clear. The sheriff’s department said the staff member “is no longer employed” by the Jackson County School District.

“To protect the integrity of the process, no additional details will be released,” Sheriff John Ledbetter said in a news release. “The Sheriff’s Department is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation.”

Authorities in Jackson County are asking anyone with information to call Sergeant CJ White at 228-872-8754 Ext. 56048, Captain Kristen Johnson at 228-769-7559 or Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

This story was originally published February 12, 2026 at 1:20 PM.

Profile Image of Margaret Baker
Margaret Baker
Sun Herald
601-909-0541
Margaret is an investigative reporter whose search for truth exposed corrupt sheriffs, a police chief and various jailers and led to the first prosecution of a federal hate crime for the murder of a transgendered person. She worked on the Sun Herald’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Hurricane Katrina team. When she pursues a big story, she is relentless.
MS
Martha Sanchez
Sun Herald
Martha Sanchez is a former journalist for the Sun Herald
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