A 23-year-old Milwaukee woman recently charged with impersonating a substitute teacher at a Milwaukee Public Schools high school was arrested in Illinois Friday in connection with the theft of a vehicle from a Brookfield fitness center, police said.
Amy Jones faces six felony charges in Milwaukee County related to a Sept. 24 incident at Rufus King International High School. Prosecutors allege she entered the school, represented herself as a substitute teacher, and was placed in a classroom for the first three periods, where students reported she used profane language, racial slurs, and sexually derogatory statements while organizing students by race and gender.
According to court records and police reports, Jones, a former Rufus King student, blended in with students to get through security earlier that morning. She overheard staff discussing a substitute teaching agency, signed in as a substitute, and was assigned to an unfilled classroom position amid multiple teacher absences. Students described her calling one student “fat boy,” asking another if she wanted to be a stripper or hooker, telling two white male students they were the type to start school shootings, asking students if they were gay or virgins, playing loud rap music, and inquiring about marijuana or a vape because the class was “lame and annoying.” She was later escorted out by police after students alerted staff.
Jones told detectives she entered the school because she was “bored,” hated kids, and “just wanted to ‘f- around.’” She also said she expected to become “famous.” She is charged with one count of impersonating a public employee and five counts of exposing a child to harmful descriptions. If convicted on all counts, she faces up to 21 years in prison.
At her initial court appearance on Oct. 6, Jones was released on a $5,000 signature bond with conditions including no contact with the school or certain students. Her defense attorney stated that she manages bipolar disorder and was experiencing an acute manic episode due to a delay in receiving her prescribed medication. She had no prior criminal history and had been located earlier at a West Allis mental health facility.
Early Friday morning, Brookfield police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at Crunch Fitness on Capitol Drive near 124th Street, just before 5 a.m. The suspect used a false name to enter the facility and stole the keys to a blue 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. Police later located the vehicle and Jones in Illinois; she was arrested and remained in custody there as of Friday night reports. Authorities indicated a chase was involved in the apprehension. New charges related to the theft have been referred to the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office. Details of the Illinois arrest were still being confirmed, and it was unclear when she might be extradited.
Milwaukee Public Schools has stated it is conducting its own investigation, notified its Title IX coordinator, and put supportive measures in place for affected students. Principal Doreen Badillo confirmed in communications to families that Jones was a former student recognized by staff and was not an authorized substitute.
Jones’ next court date in the Milwaukee case is scheduled for Oct. 20.
