Former McDowell High School Coach And Counselor Pleads Guilty To Sex Crimes Involving Minor

Jessica Patrick Finley, a former McDowell County High School volleyball coach and counselor, pleaded guilty Thursday, April 16, 2026, to multiple felony sex crimes involving a minor and was sentenced to a minimum of 28 years and four months and a maximum of 40 years and six months in prison.

Finley faced 15 total counts, including six counts of statutory sex offense with a child and eight counts of indecent liberties with a child. Initial warrants also alleged a sex act with a student and sex offenses with a child under 15.

The investigation began after school officials were presented with inappropriate text messages between Finley and a 14-year-old student. She resigned from McDowell County Schools in February 2024. Search warrants indicated that some of the alleged encounters took place in her school office.

The case was investigated by the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

In April 2025, Finley reportedly rejected a plea deal and moved toward trial. A request for a lower bond was denied in August 2025. The victim testified in court on Thursday before Finley entered her guilty plea to all counts.

Photo: McDowell County Sheriff’s Office