Bond revoked for middle school coach charged in sex case

November 5, 2022
Jamal Devante Carter

Jamal Carter to remain in custody until trial

The bond of a Middle School P.E. teacher and basketball coach charged with various sex offenses has been revoked by the Criminal Court Judge overseeing the cases.  On Friday, November 5, Criminal Court Judge Brody Kane granted a motion filed by the District Attorney’s Office requesting that Jamal Carter’s bail be revoked and that he be held in custody until his trial. The basis of the bond revocation was violation of a condition that Carter was ordered to have no social media accounts as a condition of bond.  At the hearing, argued by Assistant District Attorney Samantha Key, the State called witnesses establishing that Carter had violated this bond condition by maintaining multiple social media accounts in violation of the court’s order. As a result of the proof presented Judge Kane revoked the bail.

On March 14, 2022 the Smith County Sheriff’s Office first arrested Carter and charged him with 15 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Carter was a basketball coach and PE teacher at Smith County Middle School at the time of his arrest.  Carter was immediately suspended by the school system and barred from having contact with the school system or students, as well as receiving several other bond conditions including a prohibition from maintaining social media accounts. 

At that time, Smith County Sheriff Steve Hopper reported that this investigation was ongoing and further details would be released later.  

This proved correct, as additional charges were presented to the April 2022 Grand Jury.  The Grand Jury returned a sealed Indictment at that time charging Carter with three additional counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and three additional counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.  Carter was arrested on the later set of charges shortly after the Indictment.  Carter posted bail on all charges and was out of custody until the District Attorney’s motion revoking the bond was granted on Friday, 11/4/22.  Carter will now be held in custody until his cases are concluded.

*Submitted by District Attorney General, Jason Lawson’s Office