Ex-Ocean Springs teacher indicted on new sex charges with student
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- A former teacher faces three felony counts of sexual battery involving a student.
- Alleged incidents took place in 2023 while the teacher held a position of authority.
- Trial is scheduled for October 2025, though plea talks remain ongoing.
A former Ocean Springs High School teacher is facing new felony charges following his indictment charging him with three counts of sexual battery of a student while in a position of trust or authority over the child.
James Donald Hawkins II, 39, is indicted on three counts for allegedly having sex with a then-17-year-old student in her car at Walmart and at his then-home he shared with his wife and toddler in Fort Bayou Estates in Ocean Springs. The alleged crimes occurred at different times between August and November 2023.
At the time of the alleged offenses, Hawkins had been teaching physics at Ocean Springs High School for over a year. The school district fired him as a result of the allegations.
After his arrest, Hawkins said during a court appearance that he didn’t know what he was doing was a “felony-type crime.”
A criminal investigator said Hawkins admitted to having sex with the student, confessed he had fallen for her, and revealed plans to elope with her in Louisiana despite being married.
The minor said the crimes occurred after she got upset about something at school and Hawkins said he wanted to help her.
Hawkins is tentatively set for trial in October, though records indicate he has been in plea negotiations with prosecutors since his indictment.
Attorney Cameron McCormick is representing Hawkins. Assistant District Attorney Nick Mobley is prosecuting the case.
