Police: Student said she had sex with teacher at hotels, school

By Pashtana Usufzy

Published Friday, June 5, 2015 | 2:14 p.m.

Updated Friday, June 5, 2015 | 4 p.m.

A Rancho High School teacher arrested Thursday engaged in sexual activity with a student in his classroom and at two hotels, a North Las Vegas Police arrest report alleges.

Jason R. Lofthouse, 32, could be seen kissing a female student in an elevator at the Cannery in a surveillance image obtained by police, the report said.

He was arrested and booked at the Clark County jail Thursday on two counts of first-degree kidnapping, four counts of sexual acts with a student ages 16-17 and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to jail records.

Lofthouse has worked for the Clark County School District since 2010, district spokeswoman Michelle Booth said.

According to the arrest report, a Rancho teacher told police a student came to her and said another student was involved in a sexual relationship with Lofthouse.

The student later told police there were rumors last year that Lofthouse had a relationship with another student who has since graduated, the report said.

Police, who went to investigate Wednesday, found Lofthouse standing close to the student believed to be in a relationship with him, and they were in the corner of his locked classroom, the report said.

The student initially denied having sex with Lofthouse, but after police notified her father, she told officials she and Lofthouse had sex at the Cannery and Aliante, and she said they engaged in sexual activity in his classroom, according to the report.

She said he picked her up near her neighborhood and checked into the hotels, and police confirmed both Lofthouse and the student missed at least part of the school day those two days, the report said.

According to the website for Rancho High School, located at 1900 Searles Ave., near Eastern and Washington avenues, Lofthouse teaches advanced placement human geography and honors U.S. government.

Lofthouse’s teaching contract for the school year has ended, but he is still a school district employee, spokeswoman Melinda Malone said.

Malone said teachers are still subject to requirements regarding suspensions and terminations when their contracts end, and the district plans to take steps to end Lofthouse’s employment.

He was arrested at Rancho on the last day of school, according to the arrest report and the school district.