VALDOSTA — Jury selection began Monday in the case against Jeremy Albert Bennett, a Sallas Mahone Elementary School teacher charged with sexual battery and child molestation in 2007.

According to Defense Attorney Charles Wetherington, Bennett has entered a not guilty plea to all charges and approximately 30 character witnesses are scheduled to testify on his behalf. More than half of the witnesses are other teachers and administrators from Sallas Mahone.

Lowndes County Superior Court Judge Harry J. Altman, II is presiding and Assistant District Attorney Laura Wood is prosecuting the case. The trial is expected to last most of the week.

Bennett, then-28, was taken into custody Sept. 20, 2007 after two warrants were issued for his arrest. Reports that Bennett had engaged in sexual misconduct with at least one child at Sallas Mahone Elementary School were brought to Principal Gary Glover’s attention around Aug. 23, 2007. Glover then contacted former Superintendent Sam Allen, who followed proper protocol by sending the teacher home and alerting the Department of Family and Children Services.

The Department of Family and Children Services informed the Valdosta Police Department of the situation a few days later. After determining probable cause, the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigations began an investigation and the warrants were issued.

Since the incident, Bennett has not been allowed to return to the school.

Bennett was indicted on two counts of sexual battery and one count of child molestation in November 2007.

The judge ordered jury members to return for the trial this morning at 9:30 a.m.