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Former high school principal arrested

FRANKLIN COUNTY - A former high school principal is in the Franklin County jail this evening, charged with one count of Grooming, a class 4 felony.

Sheriff David Bartoni announced the arrest of John J. Robinson, 55, of West Frankfort, late Tuesday afternoon.

Grooming is defined as "the action by a pedophile of preparing a child for a meeting, especially via an Internet chat room, with the intention of committing a sexual offense."

According to a press release from Bartoni's office, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Robinson, as well as a search warrant for his residence.

Robinson was the principal at Thompsonville High School. According to a report from WSIL-TV, Thompsonville CUSD 174 Superintendent Brock Harris accepted Robinson's letter of resignation on Monday.

Robinson is also a pastor at the Thompsonville First Baptist Church. We were unable to reach anyone at the church for comment, but Robinson is still listed as the pastor on its website.

Robinson is being held in the Franklin County jail on a $20,000 bond.