Former School Counselor Sentenced for Sexual Crimes Against Minors
A high school counselor has been handed a prison sentence of up to 40 years after being found guilty of engaging in sexual acts with underage girls, sometimes in her office. Jessica Finley, who also coached volleyball at McDowell High School in North Carolina, expressed her remorse in court, shedding tears as she apologized for the “pain” inflicted on her victims, one of whom was just 14 when the inappropriate relationship began.
The sister of one victim described school staff as “predators lurking behind the walls” of the counseling room, preying on vulnerable students. The mother of the victim shared a heartbreaking statement, saying, “We would have knocked the door of that building off its hinges to save her from that monster.”
Finley reportedly used her position to gain the trust of her victims, eventually leading to sexual encounters. Court documents reveal that after some time, the communication between Finley and the victim escalated, with them discussing their sexual experiences and future encounters. This inappropriate behavior primarily took place when the girl was 15.
According to court records, Finley told the minor that she planned to leave her husband and children to be with her. The victim’s parents discovered troubling messages and reported them to authorities, leading to Finley’s resignation in February 2024.
The girl disclosed instances of sexual acts occurring in Finley’s office and stated that she felt trapped. Attempts to end the relationship were met with threats from Finley, leaving her feeling overwhelmed.
In April, Finley turned down a plea deal and eventually pleaded guilty to 16 counts of sexual crimes, including interactions with students and offenses involving children under 15. Upon sentencing, she was given a maximum of 40 years and a minimum of 28.
In court, Finley expressed her regrets, stating, “I just want to say that I’m really sorry for my actions and what I caused, the pain I caused, and the people. My family, my own children.”
