McMINN COUNTY, Tenn. — The principal and secretary of a small Christian school in McMinn County engaged in improper sexual activity in front of an underage teen and former student at the pastor’s home, according to 2 arrest reports from the McMinn County Sheriff’s Department.

47-year-old Jason Kennedy is principal, teacher and pastor of Liberty Christian School in Riceville. 28-year-old Brittney Branham is the school’s secretary and homeschool coordinator.

Affidavits we obtained on Friday say the 19-year-old victim reported the incident to authorities earlier this month. She was underage at the time she says the incidents happened.

The report says in the summer of 2019, she would spend the night at Kennedy’s Athens home, where he was living with both his wife and Branham.  The young woman said she would stay in Branham’s room. While they were in that room, the victim said Jason Kennedy came into the room and started talking about sex with her and Branham.

During the conversation, the teen said Branham encouraged her to let Kennedy touch her private areas, telling her “it was okay to allow him to do that, it was fun, and not to tell anyone because Brittney and Jason could get into trouble,” the report says.

In August 2020, the teen says Branham and Kennedy bought her a “black and white skimpy night gown,” according to the report. One night when she was staying at Kennedy’s home, she told investigators Jason came into the room with her and Branham, and touched the girl’s breast.

In early 2021, the teen told investigators that while she was staying in Branham’s room again, Kennedy came into the room and began talking about sex.

During that conversation, the woman said both Kennedy and Branham pleasured themselves, and encouraged her to join them. When they were finished, the teen said they adjusted their clothing and “like nothing had happened, they began talking like normal,” the report says.

The report says the girl’s father would let her spend the night at Kennedy’s house, saying that when she did, “Kennedy would have custodial authority” over her.

Jason Kennedy is now charged with 2 counts of sexual assault by an authority figure, and one count of solicitation of a minor.

Brittany Branham is charged with solicitation of a minor.

Both were booked into the McMinn County Jail early Friday morning, Kennedy under a $60,000 bond and Branham under a $15,000 bond. Sheriff Joe Guy says both have since made bond and were released.

“It appears, at this point, the case involves a single juvenile female who was previously a student at Liberty Christian Academy. At this point, the incidents occurred in the Kennedy home where Ms. Branham also lives,” said Sheriff Guy. “But we are continuing the investigation. It is always possible in cases like this that there may be other victims, and if so we hope they will contact us. We will always work to provide justice, closure, and support for victims of crime.”

Sheriff Guy asks any other possible victims to reach out to Detective Doug Reed at the Sheriff’s Office at 423-745-5620, or by email at [email protected].