Guthrie HS Paraprofessional Arrested For Sexual Relationship With Student

A staff member at Guthrie High School was arrested Friday after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.

According to the Logan County Sheriff’s office, deputies responded to Guthrie High School to investigate reports of a 15-year-old female student having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a high school staff member. 

Through the course of the initial investigation, investigators determined that Byron Jay (BJ) McDonald had intercourse with the 15-year-old female student on at least one occasion. 

McDonald was then taken into custody and booked into the Logan County Jail on charges of first degree rape, rape by instrumentation and forcible sodomy on a child under 16 years of age.

Guthrie Public Schools released the following statement, 

"Guthrie Public Schools administration was notified late last night about an inappropriate relationship between Guthrie High School paraprofessional Byron “B.J.” McDonald and a high school student. We immediately notified law enforcement and are cooperating fully with the investigation.

Following a background check, Mr. McDonald began employment with the district on August 14, 2015. He worked as a Paraprofessional in the In-School Suspension Program at Guthrie High School and as an Assistant Boys Basketball Coach. McDonald volunteered the previous school year as an Assistant Basketball Coach. Mr. McDonald was terminated today, September 4, 2015.

Guthrie Public Schools is committed to the safety and security of all students. We want to assure parents that we do not tolerate this behavior and stand committed to support in the prosecution of anyone engaged in inappropriate behavior with our students."