Blount County, Tenn. — A recent sentence handed down to a former Blount County teacher has sparked widespread anger and frustration among parents, residents, and local leaders. Joseph Dalton, who previously taught in the Blount County School District, was sentenced to six months of supervised probation after pleading guilty to five counts of misdemeanor assault for offensive touching of students. The sentence, which includes judicial diversion, has drawn criticism for its leniency, particularly given the disturbing nature of the allegations.
Dalton, who was employed at Blount County schools, admitted to inappropriate physical contact with several students. Allegations against him included actions such as tickling, hugging, and wrapping his body around students, as well as one instance in which he allegedly placed a student on the ground and stood over them for an extended period. Although these actions were troubling, the legal framework in Tennessee prevented the case from being classified as sexual battery due to the lack of evidence showing contact with the victim’s “intimate parts,” a requirement for such charges.
In a statement released by Fifth Judicial District Attorney General Ryan Desmond, it was revealed that his office wrestled with whether to pursue charges given the challenges of proving sexual battery and the minimal sentence Dalton would likely face under the law. Desmond explained that while the evidence did not support a more severe charge, Dalton’s behavior still constituted assault by offensive touching, a criminal offense under Tennessee law.
The sentence has caused an uproar in the Blount County community. Residents, parents, and local leaders have expressed frustration, with many questioning whether justice has been served. At a rally outside the Blount County Courthouse, the mother of one of Dalton’s victims shared her dissatisfaction, stating that she felt compelled to attend in order to show her support for stronger consequences in cases involving the safety of children.
In addition to the anger surrounding Dalton’s sentence, concerns have been raised about the history of incidents involving him. Records obtained by 6 News reveal that Dalton had been investigated multiple times in the past, including as early as 2005. In a 2019 case, the Blount County Sheriff’s Office declined to pursue charges against Dalton, citing insufficient evidence to prove sexual gratification. This history of alleged inappropriate behavior, combined with the recent conviction, has led some to question why Dalton was allowed to continue working in education for so long.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Dalton’s teaching license remains active. A spokesperson for the Tennessee Board of Education stated that the board will review all information from the court before making any decisions regarding potential actions on his license. The spokesperson also noted that the process involves a thorough review by a committee before any recommendations are made.
Local leaders, including Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell, have called for changes to state laws regarding how cases like Dalton’s are handled, emphasizing the need for stronger protections for children and more severe consequences for educators found guilty of inappropriate behavior. The case has ignited a broader conversation about accountability and reform within the state’s education system, with many demanding that the law be updated to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it is clear that the case has left many in Blount County questioning the adequacy of the legal system’s response to allegations of inappropriate behavior by teachers and the safety of children in local schools.
