A now-former Rutherford County Schools teacher faces 19 sex crime charges and has been indicted by a Smyrna grand jury.

Rutherford County Schools (RCS) said that Taylor Cruze, a recent 5th grade teacher at John Colemon Elementary School, is accused of inappropriate explicit communications and sexual contact with students. She was suspended without pay on May 2, 2022 as a result of the law enforcement investigation, per RCS.

Cruze was first charged with the crimes in August and her arraignment was Aug. 29, according to the Rutherford County Court Record System.

Cruze faces the following sex crime charges:

• Five counts of exploitation of a minor by electronic means – Under 13
• Five counts of exploitation of a minor by electronic means
• Five counts of especially aggravated sex exploitation of a minor
• Three counts of solicitation of a minor – Rape of a child
• One count of sexual battery by an authority figure

RCS school district has been made aware that Cruze has now been indicted by a grand jury in Smyrna, and the RCS says they are is fully cooperating with law enforcement and will continue to provide any information needed for the investigation.

Cruze submitted her resignation to RCS on May 22, and is no longer an employee, per RCS.

Her bond is set at $100,000 and her plea hearing is set for Sept. 28 at 9 a.m.