GRANTS PASS, Ore. (April 14, 2026) — A Grants Pass school support staff member has been arrested following a grand jury indictment in a sexual abuse investigation involving multiple students, according to the Oregon State Police.
Authorities said the investigation began on Feb. 6, 2026, after allegations surfaced involving Joseph Deley, 64, an educational assistant at Highland Elementary School. Investigators initially looked into potential sexual abuse involving one female student but later identified three additional victims connected to incidents during the 2018, 2022, and 2024 school years.
In total, four female students have been identified as victims in the case.
The investigation was forwarded to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, which presented the case to a grand jury. On April 9, the grand jury returned an indictment charging Deley with six counts of first-degree sexual abuse. A warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest.
Deley was taken into custody Tuesday morning without incident and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.
Oregon State Police are asking anyone with additional information related to the case to contact their Southern Command Center dispatch at (541) 664-4600 or dial *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Callers are asked to reference case number SP26-042392.
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