[UPDATE: Soddy Daisy teacher back after assault charge dismissed]
A Soddy Daisy High School teacher was arrested Tuesday at the school on a charge of aggravated assault, according to court records.
Jon Stanford, 41, was charged in connection with an incident over the weekend, court records show.
Stanford teaches math at the high school, according to an affidavit in the case.
(READ MORE: Members of Hamilton County’s class of 2024 reflect on their high school experience)
In an email, spokesperson Steve Doremus said the school district “is aware one of its employees was arrested at Soddy Daisy High School today on a charge unrelated to the school. At this time, we are working to learn more information. Once we learn more, appropriate steps will be taken in accordance with district policies and procedures.”
WHAT HAPPENED?
According to the affidavit, Stanford allegedly put his wife in a chokehold Sunday after he had been drinking for several hours.
His wife also told deputies that Stanford took her phone and tried to destroy it, the affidavit stated.
The family had gone out on a boat earlier in the day when Stanford became intoxicated to the point of falling asleep, according to court filings.
After returning home, his wife reportedly started recording his behavior with her cellphone “since he often disregards her explanations of it when he sobers up,” the deputy’s report said.
Stanford allegedly got upset about the recording, forcibly took her phone and reached from behind to place her in an apparent chokehold with one arm, according to the affidavit.
His wife told deputies the chokehold didn’t obstruct her airway or make her lose consciousness, but that she feared for her safety because it was the first time he had put hands on her, the affidavit stated. Children were present during the tussle, according to court documents.
Stanford’s wife told deputies he was concerned about her recording and possibly posting videos to social media due to his job at the high school.
Later, the affidavit stated, Stanford reportedly removed his wife’s phone from its charger and went to the garage where he allegedly tried to destroy it. The wife found her phone smoking and hot to the touch, and she took her children to another relative’s home, according to court filings.
The next day, when deputies were taking the wife’s report, Stanford reportedly called the relative and told him repeatedly that he “did what I (he) had to do,” the affidavit states.
Stanford was booked into the Hamilton County Jail on a $6,000 bond Tuesday, jail records show. He is set to make a court appearance in late June.
Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6319.
Contact Shannon Coan at scoan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.