Grants Pass School Staff Member Arrested in Sex Abuse Investigation

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A former educational assistant at Highland Elementary School in Grants Pass, has been arrested following a grand jury indictment in a sex abuse case involving multiple students, according to Oregon State Police.

Investigators say 64-year-old Joseph Deley of Grants Pass was taken into custody Tuesday morning without incident and booked into the Josephine County Jail. Deley faces six counts of first-degree sexual abuse after a months-long investigation.

According to Oregon State Police, the investigation began Feb. 6, 2026, after reports surfaced involving a female student at Highland Elementary. During the investigation, detectives identified three additional student victims from the 2018, 2022, and 2024 school years, bringing the total to four identified victims.

The case was referred to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, which brought the charges before a grand jury. The grand jury returned an indictment on April 9, leading to a warrant for Deley’s arrest.

Oregon State Police are asking anyone with additional information to contact the OSP Southern Command Center dispatch at 541-664-4600 or by calling OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Callers are asked to reference case number SP26-042392.