Jason Arnett’s relationship with a 15-year-old minor not only landed him with a charge of sexual misconduct with a minor, a level 4 felony, but also cost him his job.

Arnett was arrested on or about Oct. 30, and booked on a charge of sexual misconduct with a minor. (See Webster Man Arrested For Sexual Misconduct)

Arnett was terminated from his employment at Wawasee Community Schools as a bus driver on Tuesday evening at the board’s regular meeting. “Arnett was employed by Wawasee Community Schools as a bus driver from last school year through Dec. 9 of this year,” stated Dr. Tom Edington, school superintendent.

“He was placed on leave Oct. 29, when the school received information Jason was being investigated for a possible relationship with a minor. The minor and Jason did not meet through the school and the school was not used in their relationship. Following an investigation, the school board terminated his contract on Tuesday.

“Wawasee does everything possible to protect the safety and privacy of the children in our care. If you have information you feel we should know, please feel free to contact me at the Wawasee central office.”

Edington explained the state requires certain school employees, including bus drivers, to have contracts giving them certain rights. Arnett’s contract said he would obey the laws of Indiana and it was determined he had not been doing that. It was also pointed out even if the person had been 18 years old, as long as they are a student, it still would have been in violation of school policy.

The affidavit of probable cause states police spoke with school officials on Oct. 29 after officials received information regarding a sexual relationship between Arnett and a student.

Police spoke with the student who said he met Arnett on an internet application for gay men to meet. He discovered Arnett was a bus driver at the school and that Arnett knew his age. The victim said Arnett picked him up at his residence and they went to Steak ‘N Shake in Warsaw. Afterwards the two drove to a wooded area at Tri-County Fish and Wildlife, where oral sex took place. The meeting between the two took place sometime between Oct. 12 and Oct. 16.