Middle school teacher accused of biting teen girl at Lake Lanier

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has learned the man accused of biting a teenage girl at Lake Lanier is a Gwinnett County middle school teacher who is now facing an investigation at the school district.

Jonathan Herbert, 30, was arrested after police said he swam underwater then drunkenly bit a 14-year-old girl's buttock.

Hall County sheriff's deputies said it happened July 4 around 8:30 p.m.

Witnesses told Channel 2 Action News the man did not know the teen.

Herbert has been charged with sexual battery, second-degree child cruelty and public drunkenness.

TRENDING STORIES:

Amy Cammarota said her family visits Lake Lanier often and said motherly instincts would take over if the scenario happened to one of her kids.

“Probably attack him, try and defend my children and get out and look for help,” Cammarota said.

Channel 2's Matt Johnson spoke with a family member of the 14-year-old victim who said she lost her mind when the man bit her.

She said good Samaritans held him down until deputies arrived.

Gwinnett County Schools confirmed that Herbert has been a teacher at Snellville Middle School for two years.

The district is investigating him internally after officials learned of the arrest.

“He shouldn’t be teaching. He shouldn’t be around kids,” Cammarota said.

It's not the first time he's been accused of having too much to drink while out in a public place.

Johnson found Gwinnett County jail records that show police arrested Herbert in May of 2016 on DUI and drug charges. Police said he was speeding and was in possession of marijuana.

Cox Media Group