An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and other agencies into a paddling incident at a Jackson County school has resulted in the indictment of a teacher and assistant principal.

At the request of the 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson, TBI special agents joined the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Children’s Services in investigating a complaint of an assault of a student in a Jackson County elementary school.

The investigation revealed that on October 4th, 2023, a student at Dodson Branch Elementary School was paddled twice at the school by his teacher, Jackson Patterson, while the assistant principal, Tena Lynn, was also present. During the investigation, agents developed information that the victim later complained about pain in his buttocks and was taken to a medical facility for examination.

On November 7th, 2023, a Jackson County grand jury returned indictments charging 39-year-old Jackson Alexander Patterson with one count of simple assault and 54-year-old Tena Janeice Lynn with one count of criminal responsibility of assault.

Patterson and Lynn were arrested and booked at the Jackson County Jail.

Patterson’s bond was set at $2,500. Lynn’s bond was set at $1,500.