High School Predator Exposed by Secret ‘Barbie & GI Joe’ Texts

rape, a child. multiple times. >> He was a trusted [music]. husband, father, teacher. >> He talked to me yesterday and her trying. to make sure that she was on the right. path. >> But the real story [music] is darker. than anyone wanted to believe. What this. former teacher, Justin Travis, did to a. teenage girl all while his wife believed. [music] he was at work is almost too. sickening to imagine. Welcome to. Sidebar, presented by Law & Crime. I'm.

Jesse Weber. By the way, I was looking at the data as. I'm recording this. I didn't even. realize like Father's Day [music] is. right around the corner. And if you're. looking for what is that perfect gift to. get all those dads out there, I want you. to meet the Chef IQ Steaks Smart Meat. Thermometer. This is the secret to. stress-free restaurant-level cooking. Whether you're a seasoned grill master. or you're just trying to throw on some. steaks for the summer, the smart. thermometer is really a game-changer. There's no more overcooking. There's no. more, "Oh, I think this might be done.". No, no, no, no. Chef IQ tells you.

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teacher's car, and it all centers on. something that started as a rumor, and. it didn't stay buried. Here's what. happened. 39-year-old Justin Travis was. an ROTC instructor at Greenville High. School in Ohio. Navy veteran, married, two kids. By all accounts, seemed like a. great guy. Kind of teacher stayed late, cared about his students, gave. struggling kids a second chance. But according to the students who. watched him closely, there was a whole.

other side. One of his students was a. 15-year-old girl. We only know her as. CV. Not surprising when you have a minor. victim, they are un-ID'd. I want to be. clear about something. What you're about. to hear has never been released before, okay? Let me set the scene. It's September. 4th, 2025. It's around 4:00 in the. afternoon. Greenville police receive a. call about a student and a staff member. inside of a parked car. According to the. police report, a witness follows them to. a park. Another witness calls 911.

Officers are initially called to the. school. It's later on that the victim in. this case, CV, is at her apartment. And. according to the incident report, she. immediately tells them that she was. trying to do something bad to herself. and that her teacher, Justin Travis, was. just trying to help her. What she doesn't know is that another. student has already told police she saw. them both in the backseat, possibly. putting clothes back on. So, here's CV. right after officers show up.

>> We don't know what's going on. >> I just need you to ask me what's going. on. >> I don't need you. >> Okay, so start from the beginning. What's going on? >> I was trying to. And then he came up and then. and then he was just trying to talk me. not to do it. And now. lying and I want to ruin this man's job. >> Okay, who. was trying to help you? >> Chief. >> Okay, Chief is the RPD. >> Yes. >> Yes, but nothing was happening. >> She told me she had some. allergy pills and aspirin.

>> And like. like everything combined. I was just. throwing something at that. But, I don't. even know where I put it. It's like. gone. I don't know where it's at. >> Okay, so you wanted to kill yourself cuz. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. >> Sorry, I hope you just found me. >> Okay, do you want to go to the hospital. first? Okay. >> I don't want to go to the hospital. >> I know you don't want to go. >> I just swear I. >> Okay, this is a big deal now. >> No, I don't want it to be a big deal. >> It's too late. >> It. >> was lying about it and it wasn't true. You know, the liar.

She was She called I was called to like. know what was going on and took the. phone and was like, "I saw you guys.". That wasn't true. I can literally. like that wasn't true. >> So, you see the sense of denial, not. wanting to turn into something. And. according to the case notes, the person. that she calls the liar, the one who. supposedly, you know, ratted out this teacher, was. one of the students who followed them to. the park. She's the one who called the. police. >> And then she started saying that. I don't know who called lying to you.

guys, but yes, I will admit that we were. separated on one side cuz he was trying. to talk to me cuz he's a good teacher. >> Okay. So, where were you talking to you at? >> Like around there. I don't know exactly. where. >> Were you guys in the car? >> Yes, we were in his car, but it wasn't. it wasn't like that. >> Okay. Were you on school property? >> Yeah. >> In the parking lot? >> Yeah. >> You were in the parking lot? >> In the parking lot? >> I don't I'm not a school guy, so I don't.

know. >> It's by the school. It's by the school. >> Okay. What seat were you sitting in? >> The back, like on the left. >> Okay. And he was in the back seat with. you as well? >> Well, he. And then he sat like on the other side. trying to talk to me. >> Okay. Got you. All right. Okay, when he. told you that, how did that end up to. you getting into his car? I'm just a. little confused. >> He was just talking about I don't even. know. He was probably concerned cuz I. literally said I was. >> Okay, so he told you to get in his car?

>> Well, he was like. >> Or he asked you to? >> It was not like it was creepy though. >> I mean, I'm not going to say it's not. creepy. I mean, the whole thing is a. little weird. You're what, 15? >> Yeah. >> He's 39 telling you to get in his car. >> It was not like that. >> I I got to understand where the outside. perception comes from. >> Yeah. of a 39-year-old teacher trying to. fix her own student. If you want to kill yourself, get in my. car. You have to think of the perception. >> trying to talk me out of it. >> Right. >> did. He was like he's a good teacher.

>> Right, I understand that. I get I. understand where you're coming from. I. understand what you're saying. I'm just. saying what the perception looks like. and that looks really weird. >> Yeah, the idea of this story not making. sense is where they're really going with. this. And according to the case notes, the messages on her phone told a very. different story than the one she's. telling now. A detective would later. write that she found exchanges between. CV and Justin Travis dating back to May. And these are messages that are so. explicit I cannot even read them to you.

here on this show. But I will just tell. you yes, they are sexual in nature. That. was 4 months ago. And you and I both. know that in a criminal case text. messages can be very very hard to. explain away or add context to or even. suggest that someone else had your phone. when you're talking about First of all, if there's communications between an. adult and a minor, that in and of itself. is problematic. And if the content of. these messages is sexual in nature, very very very hard to explain away. So.

according to the instant report at this. point, while officers are still at CV's. apartment, her phone rings. The caller. ID reads friend. So one of the officers. answers the phone and on the end Justin. Travis. >> Hello. Hello. Who is this? >> this number? >> Who is this? >> Uh this is Justin. >> Justin who?

>> Justin Travis. >> Okay. Justin who? This is Sergeant Marion with Spring Hill. Police Department. >> Okay. >> So what's going on? >> So, as I was leaving actually no, let me let me back up. 10th period, no rings. Students start filing out. Um. I'm assuming this is.

or is this the. Is this. >> Well, you called it, you should know. >> I. I don't know. I just have a. this number. >> [screaming]. >> Okay. >> Anyway, I'm assuming this is. power. Uh. she kind of got into it with. who is her. and Dayton who is. boyfriend.

And. uh she. helped me calm her attitude and the. school off. And another kid next to me then. and asked me why I. I. And I said, I mean, I really don't know. Uh. So, then I sat and talked with. that kid for a while. And she kind of confirmed that because. and.

the highest ranking cadet in the program. uh. and me as. always. have to turn her in. >> A little bit? >> She's always. she's always really liked it. >> And. >> And uh you know, ROTC has been pretty. good for her. She's you know, her mom left us years. [clears throat] ago. And uh. She's. always loved her, but she's she's been. very moody lately. Her mom.

>> Okay. I'm saying it's. >> Yeah. >> history of. family real bad. >> It went from So, I don't know if she's. being swayed with her mental illness. right now or what. >> According to the incident report, Justin. had no idea what officers had already. found on CV's phone. He doesn't know. about the messages from May, but police. ask him to come down to the station, and. they don't waste any time. You're going. to hear that the audio drops out at. points in this footage. That's due to.

redactions made by law enforcement, but. nonetheless, you get the substance of. this conversation. Take a look. >> And we both know. Okay. That that was a story that you told her. to tell you. Her to tell the police first while you. guys were talking. And I think we both know that the reason. that she climbed in the backseat was. because. That's typically what you guys do. whenever you have sex in your cars.

Just like you did yesterday morning when. you picked her up before school. Just like you did yesterday afternoon at. first. in your Jeep. So, I This is where we're at. I know what. happened. I've already went through. I know that there was an a relationship. going on for some time. [clears throat]. I know that you're her G.I. Joe and. she's your Barbie. Okay? I know all of these things.

All right? What I don't know is your. side story. What I don't know is why and. what happened. So, this is your chance. to tell me. This is your chance to get your side. story out. Like I said, I already know all of these. things. I've already seen the messages. I know that this has been going on since. day one. >> Inside this interrogation room, the. officer basically lays out a spectrum,

right? On one end, monsters who prey on. children. On the other end, a family man. who got caught up in something and let. it spiral. Either way, this is a way. that they're trying to get him to admit. to what happened, right? To let his. guard down. >> Look, I don't. I don't think that you're a bad person. and I. I see. I see I think she loves you. But she.

says deep, but I don't know how much. she's really capable of that. But. good people make bad decisions. All right? So, the way it is. Wait. So, that was just that.

Confirmation that Goodwill has security. video footage. you guys went in there yesterday. So, um. the thing is. and. we know. what has been going on. Again, I don't. think that you're a bad person. Good. people make bad decisions all the time. I think that you weren't thinking. clearly. Whenever we investigate these. types of crimes, whenever I have this,

it's my job to figure out why and what. kind of person I'm dealing with. So, it's kind of like there's Whenever we. have these types of crimes, there's a. whole spectrum. We have these really bad. people who prey on children, who get in. these positions, like a teaching. position, cuz they can be around little. kids cuz they like little kids. Then at. this end of the spectrum, all the way. down here, we have. the good person who loves his family and.

who loves his kids, loves his job, is. really trying to do the right thing, but. gets all caught up in something bad and. makes a bad decision. Once that bad. decision happens. it spirals. And then it's kind of out of control. like a snowball, you know, it just keeps. getting snowball bigger and bigger. So, my job is. as an investigator and I'm trying to. figure out. where at on this spectrum do I Do you.

lie down here. with the good guy who made a bad. decision or are you down here with the. predators who get in these positions to. prey on children? You see what I'm. saying? So. this is where you get to tell your side. >> I'm not a predator. I didn't take this job to prey on them.

Prey on kids. >> So, what happened? >> Earlier in the school year last year. she was attached to the kid too. Another kid. And. her sister didn't like it. And I didn't really talk to her a lot. I used to hear her raising She was just. failing. She was just failing. She had.

to follow all the time. She got by with two per day. The counselor. She would not be listening. >> Mhm. >> And I told her my hey you got to do at. least one time. per day. Per day. This straight up. Stop eating. Stop drinking. Start doing again. Uh everything was good. After that, I.

actually started. caring about the program again. I. learned the things that I I was trying. to teach to everybody. Solve the health issues. Now. Saturday I was looking at. the um. One day I. counted in. So.

we were down at another school there. I. said, "Here's my number just in case. you guys get split up and you need. something.". And um. Then they started. a couple of the kids started touching. me. Now. speaks to them. And then um.

He felt kind of invested in her time and. showed us she was on the right path. >> So we're at. the right path and getting her back to. get her future. How did we get to where we are? >> Then the conversation moves into how she. ended up in his car. >> I drove at um. I'm going down. Howard Road. >> Yeah.

>> I stopped at a spot dish. This spot for a little bit. I tried to. I tried buy time. No, dang it. Is that. She's persistent. >> But you picked her up.

on Howard. To where Howard. >> You had that far to go. >> You took her to a secluded parking lot. You picked her up earlier yesterday, too. Earlier than normal. Took her to a secluded parking lot. And then. you just tried to talk to buy your time, but she was persistent? >> Yeah. We were just hanging out. Just chit-chat. >> What kind of things do you have in. common with 15-year-old girls to.

chit-chat about? You can say that's what your your. intentions were, but your actions say. different because you picked her up. earlier than normal. >> Mhm. >> You took her to a secluded parking lot. Your intentions were not to. >> My intentions are.

to do. I guess I Yeah, I guess my intentions. are to do more, but I was. I felt guilty. So, I'm guilty like I. tied her. Just use myself to get the amount. >> So, then you guys had sex in the car. You guys had sex like.

How does that work in freight? Like. as far as. is it just in the backseat and she's on. top? Does she lay down? Does that work. in the How does that work in the car? >> Uncomfortable. So comfortable telling. you that. >> Okay, you don't have to. That's fine. Um but then you guys go to school.

You are at school. Then after school, you take her over to. my boat. >> Yes. >> What's your intentions there? >> The jet ski's super safe. She. out. She wants to hang out with mine. I don't. I feel guilty. I drove her to buy it.

She offered a down and she's my. therapist, right? >> So, you're feeling guilty. >> But she suggested it. >> But you're still able to get it out of. your system twice yesterday with her. >> And that's all police need to hear. >> I'm sure you're cleaning up. I don't want to chance her to get back. home to get her looking pregnant which. is why I went down there. I mean I. cleaned that and then you jerked off for.

it. Okay, got shotgun. >> Are they there?

>> I messed you tight. >> No. >> Okay. Just checking on you guys. Yeah, let me double lock.

>> [clears throat].

>> As he's led outside to the. his wife who came with him doesn't yet. know what's happened but she is about to. find out everything.

>> So, we need to keep it keep the court. request information right out. >> Right here. It's right over here. Uh. you got back over here. That car right here. The lights off. I'm. going to pass your side.

I see an air freshener. But first helps. You just scoot on in. >> So, you just. raped a child. multiple times.

You just ruined my life. You could have known on the way here. just said nothing. Now, you can lie your way out of it. You just say nothing. Today, nothing happened. You can lie, right?

Yes. I can lie, too.

>> What's uh. What's my name? Um. >> You won't have to do it. >> I'm sorry.

Okay. >> Um. He'll probably be here in. this area. Maybe tomorrow. Cuz he He told me about my first. appointment so. I'll see if he's going to be here. tomorrow. So. I said probably. between 10:00 and. >> Okay. >> Right. >> So. he doesn't come home from now on.

>> Only if he goes out. So. imagine if he comes home and he's high. and he's talking to. I don't even know if he wants to. >> No, I have no. >> He has to go to the bathroom so I don't. know if. So. he will lock the doors and I'll lock the. doors. So. maybe he'll be here at. So. it's two. Thursdays between now and. He gets paid.

So he'll be here about 9:00 tomorrow. He's just sleeping in his. So we'll. get in touch with you tomorrow. So you want to sleep in the car. tomorrow? So tonight. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Are there any. resources somewhere to like. help me figure out.

what to do. with my life? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Like. are there. resources for like. what to do with my life? This is. >> You give me the number for the victim's. advocate courthouse up in the rebirth. community. There's a card in Sparky right there. Grab one of the going inside there's a. small victim's rights card on on the. bottom right of the thing. Okay, he's got one.

He got one. Grab the prices in the victim's rights. card if you have a small one. Deep. inside in the cubbies. Bottom right. there's small in the victim's rights. area. There's a small little things with. a 8 by 8 card. Has all the victim's rights information. on it, okay? No. No. That's for the. child. If you are worried about him bonding out. and you don't want him around, you can. you could always file for a CPO. >> So that was the body cam. But what you.

didn't see is what detectives reportedly. found on CV's phone. According to the. case notes, the lead detective said she. scrolled through months of messages. between CV and Justin Travis. So not. just like a one-off text, not like a. weird exchange, not a mistake. No, text. that made it clear this wasn't just a. teacher trying to help a struggling. student. In one exchange from May 13th, Justin had asked CV a graphic question.

about sex. Now her response referenced. the. physical sensation. He seemingly made a. comment about himself. She replied with. what she thought of him. The detective. noted all of it. And then there was the. nickname. So CV apparently called him. G.I. Joe. He called her Barbie. There. were good night texts with heart emojis, I love you from both sides. And then the. detective asked C.V. if she felt. assaulted. And according to the case.

notes, C.V. kind of pushed back. Here's. what she reportedly said, directly from. Detective Hall's report. First of all, I'm fully mature. I have a woman's body. I have a woman's mind. I don't feel. assaulted or anything like. I've never. felt that way, nor will I feel that way. because I'm just not a victim. And then. she added something else about him, saying he's not a bad guy, and that he. just doesn't think clearly sometimes. He. has brain damage from the Navy. It. affects his frontal lobe. According to. the case notes, the detective spoke with.

multiple witnesses. There was a student. that said she reported concerns to the. principal on May 29th. She had seen C.V. and Justin leaving an award ceremony. together multiple times, sitting. together on the bus, in his office with. the door closed. A former ROTC member. said C.V. was always in Justin's office, four or five times a day, sitting in his. chair, the one no one else was allowed. to sit in. She said C.V. would tell her, "I find Chief so attractive, and I would. let him do things to me if I ever got.

the opportunity." Those are quotes. Another student told the detective that. C.V. had said she and Justin were, quote, "talking dirty to each other.". C.V. had a crush on him. She saw him as. a father figure. And C.V. made her. promise not to tell anyone. Now, later. at the hospital, C.V. reportedly opened. up to the detective about how all this. started. She'd claimed that the first. kiss was April 1st, and she remembered. that because she thought it was, you. know, humorous, April 1st, April Fool's. Day. Now, the first time that they. apparently did something beyond kissing.

was April 7th. She wouldn't get too. specific about it, but she indicated. that Justin performed sexual acts with. her. So, yeah, she told her the next day. they engaged in sexual acts. She told. the detective they did it in his truck, his van, his blue car, and his Jeep. And. she even got specific about the places. that they would go. Now, this. investigation wasn't just about messages. and interviews. No, according to the. case notes, the detective obtained. search warrants for CV's phone, Justin's. phone, and a DNA standard from Justin.

Detectives also tried to get video. footage from the park where CV and. Justin were found on September 4th. But, according to the case notes, the DVR had. been removed from the cameras that were. new in that day. The new one wasn't. installed until the morning of September. 5th, so there's no video from that day. Not necessarily that they needed. considering the other evidence, but. Goodwill's cameras did capture. something. This tan Jeep pulling into. the parking lot at 3:33 p.m. on. September 3rd. No one gets out. It. leaves at 4:16 p.m. That matched the.

description of Justin's vehicle and the. timeline that CV provided. On September. 25th, 2025, the Darke County Grand Jury. indicted Justin Travis on charges. including sexual battery, unlawful. sexual conduct with a minor, and. grooming. In April, he pleaded guilty to. two counts of sexual battery, two counts. of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and one count of grooming. He was. sentenced to at least four years in. prison, and he has to register as a tier.

three sex offender. And our. understanding is that is like the. highest one in Ohio. Requires, you know, re-registering regularly, [music]. potentially for the rest of their lives. So, quite serious, to say the least. That's all we have for you right now. here on Sidebar, everybody. Thank you so. much for joining us, and as always, please subscribe on YouTube, Apple. Podcast, Spotify, wherever you get your. [music] podcast. You can also check us. out on NBC's Peacock, as well. If you. want to follow me, X, Instagram, my. NewsNation show, Jesse Weber LIVE, Monday [music] through Friday, 11:00.

p.m. Eastern. See you next time, everybody.