GULFPORT, Fla. — A high school employee was arrested after officials said he had a relationship with a 16-year-old student.
Gulfport police said a school resource officer was notified of an ongoing investigation involving a school board employee and a student at Boca Ciega High School.
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Upon further investigation, it was determined that the employee was in violation of Florida Statute 847.0135 when he communicated with a 16-year-old student. They said it was with the intent to seduce, solicit, lure or entice the student to engage in unlawful sexual conduct.
The student met with the suspect on the school campus in the later part of 2019. Their relationship with each other escalated over the following months to the point of obvious violation of the Florida statute.
The suspect knew the student's age, police said.
Police had obtained enough evidence to develop probable cause to make an arrest and apply the appropriate charges.
There is no indication that any other student was involved.
