Blount County PE Teacher Who Pled Guilty To Offensive Assault Against Children Has Misconduct Record Spanning Almost 20 Years

Image Credit: Blount County Sheriff’s Office & canva

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

On September 4^th, former Blount County PE teacher and coach Joseph Dalton pled guilty to several charges of offensive touching assault stemming from five instances at two elementary schools.

Dalton resigned from Blount County Schools (BCS) in September of 2023, shortly after an investigation began, and was arrested in January of this year when the District Attorney filed charges after camera footage was reviewed and Dalton was found to have offensively touched elementary-aged girls. 

However, it appears the teacher has a record of misconduct dating back to 2005. According to police reports obtained through a Freedom of Information act by another media outlet, school resource officers, parents, students, deputies, school nurses, school counselors, and even an assistant principal have made complaints against Dalton’s behavior for close to 20 years. 

The Blount County Sheriff’s Office has maintained a total of 10 reports regarding Dalton, including the five that led to his arrest, with all but one discussing allegations of inappropriate contact between Dalton and students. 

In the initial 2005 report where Dalton allegedly “touched a student’s belly, leg, and genital area”, Deputies notified the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS), but the incident has been marked as clear, meaning put to rest. An investigation was also confirmed to have been opened with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in 2005 but closed in 2006 at the request of the Blount County District Attorney.

A 2019 incident, where Dalton was accused of placing his hand on a student’s leg “above her knee,” and then slid his hand around to touch her on the buttocks,” was reported to then-Assistant BCS Director David Murrell (now Director of BCS). According to the report, the county schools opened an investigation, and a report was filed with DCS, yet the District Attorney’s office declined to prosecute Dalton, claiming an inability to prove his actions were for sexual gratification and calling the situation a “he said, she said” case.

Dalton’s behavior caught on camera seems to be the final factor in allowing the DA to prosecute.

The question remains as to why Dalton was allowed to remain a teacher at BCS after so many allegations of inappropriate behavior were reported over such a lengthy period and why BCS has remained relatively silent regarding the matter. 

Sentencing for Dalton is scheduled for early November, with the misdemeanor assault charges carrying a maximum sentence of six months jail time and a fine not to exceed $500. 

Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroot organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.