Former Sumner County Schools employee faces 24 counts in Hendersonville

Hendersonville police arrested a former educator from Sumner County Schools on multiple charges related to the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

Jesse Owen Shipley, 43, was taken into custody on Thursday, November 12. He faces a total of 24 counts. These include one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child and one count of official misconduct.

Shipley also faces six counts of statutory rape by an authority figure. Additionally, he is charged with six counts of aggravated statutory rape. The list includes five counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means.

Police listed four more counts of exploitation of a minor by electronic means and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. Hendersonville officials did not clarify if the alleged conduct occurred during his time with the school district.

Sumner County Schools confirmed that Shipley left the district at the end of the last school year. A district statement noted he is not a current employee. The school system said he departed at the end of the previous academic term.

The investigation remains active. Police are asking residents with information to call Hendersonville police at 615-822-1111. Tips may also go to Hendersonville Crime Stoppers at 615-594-4113 or through the P3 Tips app.