A longtime Dothan school employee accused of sex crimes involving a student is awaiting a bond hearing after investigators said allegations against him surfaced months before law enforcement was notified.
Johnny Mark Dunaway, 55, was arrested on nine felony charges, including seven counts of enticing a child for immoral purposes, one count of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old, and one count of interference with custody, according to the Dothan Police Department.
Dunaway, who served as a math coach at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School and other schools within Dothan City Schools, is being held in the Houston County Jail. A bond hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 28.
According to the Dothan Police Department, investigators were first notified May 6 by the Houston County Department of Human Resources about reports involving inappropriate activity between a school employee and a student.
Police said Dothan City Schools had received an earlier complaint in February alleging inappropriate conduct by Dunaway and handled the matter internally. A second complaint was made April 28 involving similar allegations.
The department said Dothan City Schools notified DHR on May 6, seven days after the second complaint was reported. The information was then forwarded to Dothan police, who launched what investigators described as a “methodical, thorough investigation.”
Shortly after the investigation began, authorities conducted a forensic interview in which a student disclosed allegations of sexual crimes involving Dunaway, according to police.
Investigators executed a search warrant May 13 at Dunaway’s residence in Dale County, where several items were seized for forensic examination. Court orders were also sent to various social media and gaming platforms as part of the ongoing investigation.
The case has also drawn attention to Dunaway’s prior employment history. A report from the Florida Education Practices Commission cited by the Dothan television station stated Dunaway behaved inappropriately with students while teaching in Palm Beach County approximately 30 years ago.
The report alleged Dunaway bought gifts for students, was “inappropriately familiar” with them, rubbed students on their backs and shoulders, rubbed the leg of a female student, and lay next to students during a school bus ride.
According to a television report, Dunaway was placed on teacher probation and received a letter of reprimand in his personnel file. Records also showed his Florida teaching certification expired in 1999.
The station also reported Dunaway later taught in Georgia before moving to Dothan in recent years. Former Dothan City Schools administrators reportedly said his background check came back “clean” and references gave him high marks.
Dothan police said additional charges remain possible and the investigation is ongoing.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
