Former Fresno Unified substitute teacher and coach accused of sexual assault

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A 29-year-old substitute teacher who worked in Fresno Unified School District has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including sexual assault involving a minor, according to an unsealed criminal complaint.

Timothy Lemmons faces four felony counts, including allegations of having sex with a girl under the age of 18. The complaint was obtained by Action News.

"The punishments and the consequences for this can be enormous even if this is your first offense," said attorney Mark Broughton.

Lemmons had worked as a substitute teacher at McLane High School since August of last year and also coached football there. Fresno Unified officials said the allegations first surfaced in March. At that time, Lemmons was immediately blocked from accepting any substitute teaching assignments. He was later terminated after Fresno police began a criminal investigation, the district said.

After reviewing the complaint, Broughton said there are still many unanswered questions in the case.

"It looks to me that this was a consensual encounter between the defendant and the alleged victim," Broughton said.

"Sometimes people have, for lack of a better term, buyer's remorse, and they say, 'What did I do?'" he added.

According to Lemmons' LinkedIn profile, he is an aspiring physical education teacher who also worked at Fresno State and coached football at St. Mary's College High School.

Madera Unified confirmed to Action News that he also served as a walk-on coach for the district and has not been employed there since 2025.

Broughton said he does not believe the alleged victim was a student of Lemmons.

"If this were a teacher with a student or former student, I would've expected to see on the complaint an aggravating factor relating to that and I don't see that," he said.

Prosecutors allege in the complaint that Lemmons communicated with the minor and attempted to prevent the alleged victim from coming forward. The document also notes that he has prior charges, including a 2016 misdemeanor hit-and-run.

If convicted, Lemmons would be required to register as a sex offender.

"It's very probable that he will not maintain his certificate to be a teacher any longer, yeah, this is very serious," Broughton said.

According to the Fresno County District Attorney's Office, Lemmons has posted a bond. His arraignment is scheduled for August.

Fresno police said they do not believe there are additional victims. If convicted, Lemmons could face close to five years in state prison.

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