In March of 2021, our office was notified of a possible sexual offense taking place involving a staff member of a school here in Lee County.

We opened an investigation and found evidence that Luke Mason, while a teacher, had been using his authority as a means of coercion to elicit and entice a sexual situation with a student.

During that investigation, we also found that Mason had distributed pornographic photos to another student. Mason was charged and indicted with three counts of enticement of a minor for sexual purposes.

Mason was also charged with the distribution of pornographic material to a person under the age of eighteen, which is a misdemeanor.

Based on the information gathered, this investigation was expanded to include authorities in Meridian where Mason was charged with fondling and sexual battery, again involving minor children.

Today, Mason pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections for his crimes in Lee County.

Mason will be serving that time day for day, and when he’s released, he’ll be required to register as a sexual offender, along with having several years on probation with MDOC.

After his sentencing today, Mason will have to appear for sentencing in Meridian for the crimes he committed there.

“As the kids are about to start a new school year, I’d like to encourage staff, teachers, and parents to report any activity you see in which a child may appear to be in danger,” Sheriff Jim Johnson posted on social media. “Our Lee County Schools staff work diligently to protect the children in their care and they have been an asset during this investigation. We’re grateful for their cooperation and for ADA Megan French, who has worked so hard on this case. She has been working with the DA’s office in Lauderdale County along with the cases here in Lee County.”