A McDowell County Public Schools guidance counselor has been charged with sex crimes involving a student under the age of 15.

JESSICA PATRICK FINLEY

Name: Jessica Patrick Finley
Age: 29
Charge(s): One count sex act with a student (Class G Felony) and one count statutory sex offense with a child under the age of 15 (Class E Felony)
Charge Type(s): (View Sentencing Chart)
Arrest Date: 2-28-24
Bond Details: $600,000 secured bond. Records show she was transferred and detained at the Yancey County Jail at one point but VineLink records show she is in the custody of McDowell County Sheriff’s Office. A motion to reduce the bail amount was denied and her case has been continued until Aug. 19 in part due to an investigation by the NC State Bureau of Investigation.

Victim /Case Details: 

[Per warrants, arrest records, and court documents]

• Parents of a child reported inappropriate text messages between the victim and Finley on Feb. 28.
• McDowell County Schools filed a complaint with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office. District also initiated an internal investigation.
• McDowell County Sheriff’s Office contacted the SBI due to a conflict of interest.
• Law enforcement found sexual conversations on the child’s cellphone, including past sexual encounters and future plans.
• Finley admitted to performing sexual acts on the victim multiple times. She also said she had planned to leave her husband and kids for the student according to the warrants.
• Finley suggested they switch to Snapchat to make retrieval more difficult. A search warrant filed sought all communications from the victim’s Snapchat between Aug. 1, 2023 and Feb. 28.

District: McDowell County Public Schools
Current Role: Guidance Counselor, McDowell High School
History: Hired in 2017 as a part-time receptionist and Pre-K instructional assistant. Full time employment began in 2018 in Student Services as the Project Rise coordinator.
Promoted to Guidance Counselor in March 2021.
Served as high school head volleyball coach for eight seasons.
Employment status: Resigned after she was charged without statutory 30 days’ notice.

Statement from District: 

“McDowell County Schools received information from the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation, leading to charges of sexual misconduct involving Jessica Finley and a minor child. Ms. Finley, a Guidance Counselor and Volleyball Coach for McDowell High School, immediately resigned from her position. McDowell County Schools recognize the seriousness of the allegations Ms. Finley is facing, and the district will fully cooperate with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation. Due to the active investigation, no further information from McDowell County Schools will be provided. Anyone with information regarding this matter should contact the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.”

NC Teacher License Information: 

License Number: 1252795
Name: Finley, Jessica Patrick
License Type: Educator
License Status: Suspended
Expiration Date: 03/25/2024
Effective Date: 07/01/2023
License Area(s): School Counselor

License suspended.  Official action: Charged- Felony Sex Act w/ Student; Statutory Sex Offense w/ Child <= 15