A former school resource officer at White River Valley was arrested June 3 on seven charges of sexual misconduct with a minor in a case that dates back to 2015. 

James Wyatt Fiscus, 42, Worthington, was arrested by Greene County Sheriff’s Department Special Deputy Trista Myers. He faces seven charges of sexual misconduct with a minor, each a Level 4 Felony. 

According to a probable cause affidavit written by Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy David Elmore and filed in Greene Circuit Court on June 3, an investigation involving an illegal sexual relationship between Fiscus and an underage student began on June 22, 2023. The relationship, which lasted 13 months, is alleged to have occurred between May 2015-June 2016. Fiscus resigned from his position as school resource officer on Jan. 28, 2016.

During his investigation, Elmore discovered the Indiana State Police worked a case regarding Fiscus and the victim from April 2016 to March 2021. The case was closed in March 2021 due to no new disclosures. According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim said she lied during an interview in the 2016 investigation because she was embarrassed and didn’t want people to think differently of her. 

The victim revealed that on May 8, 2023, Fiscus had reached out to her after eight years of no contact. The text messages were recorded in the probable cause affidavit. According to the probable cause, the victim said she believed coming forward was the right thing to do.

While Fiscus served as the school resource officer, his contract also included working as an instructor for three periods a day, according to the probable cause affidavit. Fiscus began tutoring the victim at school, then at her home. 

The victim alleged the first instance of sexual intercourse occurred in July 2015; however, an instance of oral sex occurred in June 2015. According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim stated they had sex approximately 100 times during the first six months of their relationship and at least 200 times during the 13-month relationship. She said she performed oral sex on Fiscus approximately 20 times.

According to a timeline put together through investigation by Elmore, in October 2015, both of their phones were in Evansville during White River Valley’s fall break. In November 2015, the two were spotted together in Plainfield. On Nov. 27, 2015, both of their phones were in Louisville during White River Valley’s Thanksgiving break. 

During the time they were together, the victim reported bullying, which Fiscus suggested she report to then-WRV Assistant Principal Jimmy Beasley. According to the probable cause affidavit, while Beasley was reading the messages perceived to be bullying, he observed messages between the victim and Fiscus. The victim said she lied about her relationship with Fiscus because he said he would kill himself if people found out, according to the probable cause affidavit. 

During an Aug. 9, 2023 interview with Beasley, he recalled seeing a text message between the two talking about “love”  and whether the victim had spoken to him about the bullying incident yet. According to the probable cause affidavit, Beasley said he immediately went to then-superintendent Dr. Bob Hacker and advised him of the situation. Beasley said Hacker contacted the corporation’s attorney to ensure no rights were violated by Beasley reading the text messages. That night, Fiscus was called into the office, and according to the probable cause, Beasley said Fiscus then resigned from his position as the school resource officer.

During an Aug. 9, 2023 interview with Hacker, he alleged Beasley made him aware of the situation regarding the text messages between the victim and Fiscus. According to the probable cause affidavit, Hacker said he contacted the corporation’s attorney regarding child seduction and possible other crimes. Hacker alleged at that time the attorney said there was not enough evidence and Hacker had no duty to file a report. 

Hacker, according to the probable cause, said Beasley’s report was enough for him to call Fiscus into his office and question him about the messages. Hacker said he advised Fiscus his cell phone could be subpoenaed, at which time he resigned, according to the probable cause affidavit. Hacker alleged he never contacted the victim’s parents about the situation; however, mentioned a board member was a friend of the family and “possibly” had a conversation about the issue. 

The victim told Deputy Elmore, according to the probable cause affidavit, that they were caught by her parents in early April 2016. At that time, her parents filed a protective order against Fiscus. The order was served to Fiscus on May 6, 2016, per the probable cause. Despite the order, the two continued the relationship for approximately two months, writing letters to one another and hiding them at a secret location. 

On June 27, 2023 while using an app called Keep Safe, the victim was able to access an old account to show Elmore photos that were taken during her relationship with Fiscus. Some were taken at his house, while others were captured at the school or at a hotel in Evansville. A total of 60 pictures were recovered, according to the probable cause. Some were of Fiscus alone, while others displayed Fiscus and the victim.

Upon his arrest on June 3, his bond was set at $105,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. He was released later the same day after posting $10,500. He is scheduled to appear in Greene Circuit Court for an initial hearing on June 11.