A former Phil Campbell High School teacher pled guilty Wednesday to engaging in a sex act with a student.
Jordan Benford, 30, stood before Circuit Judge Glenn E. Thompson and admitted he was guilty of engaging in sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old PCHS student.
Benford was arrested in March 2021 after an investigation by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office into allegations that Benford was engaged in a sexual relationship with a student and was also sending her nude videos/photos of himself.
At the time, Benford was employed as a high school science teacher and assistant football coach at Phil Campbell.
Benford was charged in May 2021 with a four-count felony indictment including distributing obscene material to a student, soliciting a sex act with a student, transmitting obscene material to a child and engaging in a sex act with a student.
The investigation began on a Sunday night in March 2021 when the student's parents contacted the sheriff's office around 9 p.m. Benford was arrested later that night and admitted an “incident of sexual activity” with a student. He was placed on paid administrative leave effective March 15, 2021.
He was later terminated by the board after a lengthy closed-door hearing. Hamilton, citing confidentiality issues, would not comment on his reasons for recommending the termination, nor would he comment on the pending prosecution.
Benford's plea to the school employee engaging in a sex act with a student charge included an agreement by Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing to dismiss the remaining three charges.
Benford's plea includes a recommendation from the State of Alabama for a 10-year prison sentence, split with 18 months to serve in custody, followed by six months in Franklin County Community Corrections. If Benford succeeds in completing the FCCC program, he would then be placed on probation.
He will also have to register as a felony sex offender once he is released from custody.
Thompson was specially appointed to the case because of Franklin County Circuit Judge Brian Hamilton having a conflict that prevented him from presiding. Hamilton's former law partner, Danny McDowell, represents the Franklin County Board of Education. Additionally, Hamilton's brother Greg is the Franklin County Superintendent of Education.
Thompson ordered a pre-sentencing investigation and report to be prepared by the Probation Office. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date according to the judge's order. The Court will have the option to order Benford to serve his time in custody in a state prison or in the Franklin County Jail.
Rushing said judges have broader authority to order where a defendant serves his time in custody in cases that involve 18 month or less sentences.
The plea also included an agreement that Benford would waive any appeals after sentencing.
Benford was returned to the Franklin County Jail after the plea hearing. He has been in jail since a family member came off of his bond and Benford turned himself in. He will remain in custody pending the sentencing hearing. Rushing said Benford will receive credit for the time he's served in the county jail.
The constitutionality of Alabama's law relating to school employee/student sexual activity has been challenge multiple times. Defense attorneys have argued that the equal protection rights of school employees have been violated by the 2010 law because it makes otherwise consensual sex with a 16-year-old or older illegal for school employees yet legal for other adults.
Benford, a PCHS graduate, played baseball for the Bobcats and continued his athletic career as a member of the Alabama A&M University baseball team.
Benford was represented by Florence attorney James Irby.
Commenting on this story has been disabled.
