RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - WGNS has an update to a story involving the owner of a horse stable who is also a riding instructor in Christiana. Jason Lancaster of Panther Creek Road in Christiana is now facing a total of 31-charges, with 19 of those charges focused on sexual violations.
A lot has happened since the suspect was first arrested in September. On top of Jason Warren Lancaster having a birthday behind bars on November 9, the now 52-year-old was also charged with an additional 6 counts of Statutory Rape by an Authority Figure, 4 more counts of Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure and 1 extra count of Rape.
Evidently, the investigation remained under wraps after he was originally taken to jail 2-months ago because the added charges came in the form of a sealed indictment that was filed in the Rutherford County Circuit Courts on November 8, with Lancaster being served information from the indictment on Wednesday, November 15. Those additional charges add up to a total of 9 counts of Statutory Rape, 3 counts of Rape and 7 counts of Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure.
While the original charges were tied to a rape he allegedly committed in April of this year, the new charges are from a rape that the victim says occurred in January. Regardless of when the crimes are reported to have occurred, several people have said that they are not surprised by the accusations the owner of Pinnacle Stables is facing.
In 2008, Lancaster was arrested on a charge of Solicitation of a Minor to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape. At the time, he was an English teacher at Blackman High School and he was accused of having improper contact with at least 2 teenage students. Rutherford County Schools Communications Director James Evans told WGNS that Lancaster worked as an educator from 1993 to 2009. When Lancaster appeared in court 14-years ago to face the charges that were filed against him, he plead guilty to sexual offenses, landing him on the Sex Offender Registry. But Lancaster did not have to serve time in jail and his case was later expunged. With the expungement, his name came off the registry about four years after appearing in court.
In the current case against Lancaster, he is expected to head back to court this December for a hearing. A trial date has been set for January 12, 2024, but that date could change in the near future.
In addition to the crimes dealing with sexual offenses that the suspect is facing, Lancaster is also charged with 1 count of Stalking, 1 count of Tampering with Evidence and 9 counts of Cruelty to Animals.
Charges that Lancaster is Facing:
- 9-Counts of Statutory Rape by an Authority Figure
- 3-Counts of Rape
- 7-Counts of Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure
- 1-Count of Bribery of a Witness
- 1-Count of Stalking
- 1-Count of Tampering with Evidence
- 9-Counts of Cruelty to Animals
Rutherford County Detective Amanda McPherson has been investigating Lancaster this year and previously noted, “Lancaster is the owner of Pinnacle Stables in Christiana where he possibly had sexual contact with other victims.” McPherson stated, “If you feel you have been a victim of Jason Lancaster or feel you can help with information, please call me at 615-904-3190.”
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Lancaster has remained in jail since his original arrest in September. He is now being held on $1,020,000 bond at Rutherford County Adult Detention Center.
See previous news story HERE.
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