Substitute teacher who worked at Ocean Springs Middle School charged with sex crimes

A man hired as a substitute teacher at Ocean Springs Middle School has been charged with sex crimes  in an investigation that began Tuesday.

21-year-old KeShawn Belcher was arrested and charged with one count of exploitation of a child and one count of lustful touching of a child. He was taken to the Jackson County jail. No bond has been set.

School administrators were informed by a student Monday that Belcher, who was working at the Middle School the week prior as a substitute through an outside employment agency contracted by the district.

Campus police investigated and discovered evidence that led them to ask Ocean Springs Police for help.

Parents on social media said children told them that Belcher asked the students to friend him on Snapchat, then sent them sexually explicit videos. He also allegedly asked a female student to cuddle with him.

Ocean Springs Middle School Principal Melissa Arnold sent a message to parents after the arrest was made. She said in part:

“The safety and welfare of our students and staff remain the highest priority for Ocean Springs Middle School. We will continue to remind our students and staff members dailty to notify the administration and/or OSSD PD of any suspicious activity immediately.

“We thank you for your patience and understanding. Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation, we have been very limited as to what we can and cannot communicate. We would like to thank our campus police and local law enforcement for their swift action.”

Belcher’s Facebook page shows that he graduated from Pascagoula High School but is originally from Shreveport, Louisiana.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. To report any information, please call the Ocean Springs Police Department at (228) 875-2211, or Mississippi Coast Crimestoppers at (877) 787-5898.