Details of texts, nude pics emerge in arrest of Scottsburg teacher

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- WDRB News has uncovered new information about a 27-year-old science teacher at Scottsburg High School who was arrested last week on charges related to child exploitation and child pornography.

On Tuesday, the Scott County Prosecutor's office officially filed charges against Jeramy Powers.

According to a probable cause affidavit, an officer with the Scottsburg Police Department was contacted by officials at Scottsburg High School on Nov. 5 to investigate potentially inappropriate activity between the science teacher at the school and his 17-year-old female student.

The student told police that she had used the popular app SnapChat to exchange nude images with Powers.

When confronted, Powers allegedly admitted that he got "8 or 9" images from the teen and that they had exchanged "inappropriate" text messages about having a sexual relationship. He said they also discussed whether or not they should wait until she was 18 before they had sex.

But according to the probable cause affidavit, he told police that he sent her a text message saying he didn't think he could wait, and suggested that they "do a one-time thing" before she turned 18.

When police conducted a forensic examination on the cell phones belonging to Powers and the student, they allegedly discovered that Powers asked the teen to meet him in his classroom during 2nd period on Nov. 5. According to the court documents, both admitted to each other that they were scared because she was only 17. Police say Powers told the girl that he would hug, kiss and fondle her.

But police say the meeting never occurred because by that time, the school had discovered the inappropriate activity and contacted law enforcement, who showed up later that day.

Police say the pair had used the app TextNow in an attempt to facilitate that meeting. Police say they also discovered from Powers' phone that he had taken screenshots of at least five nude images sent to him by the student on SnapChat.

Powers is charged with possession of child pornography, dissemination of matter harmful to minors and child seduction.

Scott County School District 2 Superintendent Dr. Marc Slaton said last week that he was "dumbfounded."

"You don't understand why," he said. "I think that's the big question."

Slaton said Powers was put on an indefinite paid administrative leave after the district learned of the "possible criminal conduct" on Nov. 5.

"We take student safety extremely seriously," he said. "There's no room for this kind of stuff in our district."

"These kids can't help what teachers do, and you'd think a school would be safe for a kid," said David McIntosh, a father who lives in Scottsburg. "Stuff like that's not."

But Abi Bowen, a junior at Scottsburg High, has a different take.

"I don't have him personally as a teacher, but I know that he teaches science. I think that's what it is, but I do have friends that have him as a teacher, and they really like him," she said. "They think he's a good teacher."

Bowen added that it's important for authorities to thoroughly vet the accusation made against Powers.

"I think that these past couple of years, a lot of people have been getting blamed for this stuff, and it's really hard to tell what's true and what's not anymore," she said.

Scott County Prosecutor Chris Owens said he'll leave no stone unturned. He said he's not sure if there are other victims out there. He wants anyone with info to call the Scottsburg City Police tipline at 812-752-7898.