A Higginsville man working as a janitor in the Lafayette County C-1 School District has been charged with several felonies following an investigation earlier in March.

A School Resource Officer working with the district reviewed statements from several victims reporting various acts of inappropriate behavior from a subject identified as James Looney. The first statement alleges that Looney attempted to get social media contact information from a 13-year-old student while inside the janitor’s closet. The student reported feeling fearful for her safety.

The second statement came from a 16-year-old student at Lafayette County C-1 High School, which alleged that Looney performed sexually explicit acts with the student off school grounds. Looney also allegedly exchanged explicit photos videos with the student as well.

Authorities made contact with a third victim, who reported having conversations with Looney on a social media app. Looney reportedly sent and requested nude and explicit material from the student, but she declined and blocked him.

Officers spoke to Looney, who admitted to the actions detailed in each of the statements. Police also searched Looney’s phone, located the sexually explicit material he sent and received from one of the victims. Looney also confessed to deleting some apps on his phone before it was seized.

Looney has been charged with felonies for possession of child pornography, sexual contact with a student, and tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution. He’s also been charged with misdemeanors for sexual misconduct.No bond has been allowed.

Looney was arraigned on Tuesday, March 18, and entered a plea of not guilty. A counsel status hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27, at Lafayette County Circuit Court.