JCSO Captain Placed on Suspension Following Title IX Findings Involving Former Employment

JASPER COUNTY, Texas — The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office has placed Captain Doug Conn on suspension pending the outcome of an internal administrative investigation after a law firm’s press release reported that Conn was found liable for multiple Title IX violations during his previous employment at Angelina College.

According to a press release issued October 6 by Hightower, Franklin & James, PLLC, a Title IX hearing officer determined that Conn—who formerly served as Chief of Police and Director of the Angelina College Police Academy—was liable for “numerous acts of sexual misconduct” as defined by Angelina College policy. The investigation stemmed from complaints filed by a female officer earlier this year, citing alleged sexual harassment and misconduct by Conn while employed at the college.

In response to the release, Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard stated that the department became aware of the findings yesterday afternoon. Havard confirmed that Captain Conn, who currently serves as the agency’s Sex Offender Registration Sergeant, was hired on April 11, 2025, after a pre-employment background investigation “revealed no misconduct issues” in his record.

“Captain Conn has been very cooperative and forthcoming with us regarding this personnel matter,” Havard said. “He has obtained legal representation to address these allegations.”

Havard added that the Sheriff’s Office is committed to transparency and accountability:

“We take the individual rights of our citizens and employees very seriously. We will always investigate any allegation of misconduct to the best of our ability and be transparent regarding the outcome.”

Conn remains suspended pending the results of the Sheriff’s Office administrative investigation. The allegations outlined in the college’s Title IX report pertain solely to his time employed with Angelina College, not his current role with Jasper County.

Hightower, Franklin & James is a Nacogdoches-based firm handling criminal defense, employment, and injury cases across Deep East Texas.