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JCPS employee charged with having gun on district property

Police say they were called to the VanHoose Education Center on Monday after reports of trouble between a man and district staff.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A JCPS employee faced a judge on Tuesday after police say he brought a gun onto district property.

According to an arrest citation, officers responded to the VanHoose Education Center for reports of trouble between Jason Smiley and district staff.

The citation says Smiley admitted to officers he had a disagreement over some paperwork with JCPS staff and security, so he got his handgun from his car and stood in the grass in protest.

He also made statements on Facebook that he would "make them pay" and make them "hate me." 

According to JCPS spokeswoman Renee Murphy, Smiley is a JCPS employee through Americorps which helps with resources for students.

Smiley was assigned to Frayser Elementary.

His personnel file shows he was suspended three days prior to his arrest for using vulgar language while talking to a student. 

 He refused to sign it the suspension paperwork and tore it up, according to documents.

There were also behavior issues reported in August, October and December of 2019, including an incident where he's accused of teasing and harassing a third grader over a fundraiser.

His criminal history reveals an arrest from 2008 where he's accused of throwing a brick through someone's window. There is also a criminal trespassing charge from 2010, and a charge in 2017 that was dismissed.

Smiley is being held on a $100,000 bond. 

RELATED: Bill to require arming student resource officers heads to Governor Beshear

RELATED: Former JCPS student sues district, city and student resource officer

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