Former Rutherford County Teacher Charged With Child Sex Crimes Related To TikTok Videos

Image Credit: Rutherford County Courts

The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

A former Tennessee teacher has been charged with twenty-four sex crimes, including rape, after she allegedly posted inappropriate videos involving students to her TikTok account.

James Evans, spokesperson for Rutherford County Schools, said a grand jury in Smyrna indicted Taylor Cruze, 23, last week after police completed an investigation linking her to the crimes.

Prior to being arrested last month, Cruze was teaching fifth grade at John Colemon Elementary School in Smyrna.

According to Evans, Cruze was suspended without pay on May 2, and she resigned on May 22.

No additional information has been provided about what was in the videos or when they were posted to TikTok.

Court records show that an arrest warrant was issued on August 3 and Cruze was arrested by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office on August 10.

Cruze is charged with several counts of exploitation of a minor under 13 by electornic means, exploitation of a minor by electronic means, and especially aggravated sex exploitation of a minor. Additionally, she faces charges of solicitation of a minor – rape of a child and sexual battery by an authority figure.

Court documents list Cruze’s address at the time of her arrest as a home in Murfreesboro, approximately 14 miles from the school. Lisa Marchesoni, a spokeswoman from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, said on Wednesday that her address is now listed in Knoxville.

Cruze posted a $100,000 bond on the day she was arrested. She is set to appear in court on September 28 for a plea hearing.

Evans said the school district is “fully cooperating with law enforcement” in the investigation.

About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative  ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career.  Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others.  He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History.  Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com