RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn.  — A now-former Rutherford County Schools teacher faces 19 sex crime charges and is indicted by a Smyrna grand jury.

Rutherford County Schools said that Taylor Cruze, a recent 5th-grade teacher at John Colemon Elementary School, is accused of inappropriate explicit communications and sexual contact with students. She was suspended without pay on May 2, 2022, as a result of the law enforcement investigation.

Cruze was first charged with the crimes in August and her arraignment was Aug. 29, according to the Rutherford County Court Record System.

Cruze faces the following sex crime charges:

Five counts of exploitation of a minor by electronic means

Five counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor

Three counts of solicitation of a minor – Rape of a child

One count of sexual battery by an authority figure

RCS school district has been made aware that a grand jury in Smyrna has now indicted Cruze, and the RCS says they are fully cooperating with law enforcement and will continue to provide any information needed for the investigation.

According to the school, Cruze submitted her resignation to RCS on May 22 and is no longer an employee.

Her bond is set at $100,000 and her plea hearing is set for Sept. 28 at 9 a.m.