Jacksonville substitute teacher charged with sexual activity with student
Cameron Coverson, 27, was arrested Monday on charges of unlawful sexual activity with a minor after working as a substitute teacher at First Coast High School.
Jacksonville substitute teacher arrested over sexual relationship with student
A 27-year-old Jacksonville man who worked as a substitute teacher at First Coast High School was arrested Monday on multiple charges related to an inappropriate relationship with a student, news4jax.com reports.
Cameron Coverson was taken into custody on a warrant and charged with two counts of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, offences against students by authority figures, travelling to meet a minor to commit unlawful acts, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Duval County Public Schools confirmed that Coverson was employed through ESS, the district's contracted substitute staffing provider.
Investigation triggered by student report
According to the arrest report, the investigation began after a student reported concerns to First Coast High School's principal. Investigators allege that Coverson began an inappropriate relationship with the student over the summer, starting in May, and later made inappropriate contact with her on school grounds.
Messages exchanged between the two became sexual in nature, with the student telling police the conversations involved "student-teacher roleplay." On 1 August, the pair met at a park for a sexual encounter, the report states.
On 16 September, Coverson allegedly asked the student to come to his classroom. Security video captured only the two entering the room together. The student later told police that Coverson used the encounter to discuss what had occurred over the summer and suggested they block each other's numbers.
The student said she wanted to leave, but Coverson refused to let her go and attempted to force her into the classroom's closet before she demanded he release her.
Controlled call yields incriminating exchange
As part of the investigation, detectives reviewed the messages and arranged a controlled phone call. During that call, the student told Coverson: "If you want to do something, you could at least wait until like school is over, cause that was really risky." Coverson replied, "Okay," according to the report.
Coverson was arrested without incident near Duval Road and Mission Creek Drive and booked into the Duval County jail. His arraignment is scheduled for 14 October; court documents indicate he has waived his appearance and entered a not guilty plea.
School principal addresses families
First Coast Principal Ronnie Williams sent a message to families following the arrest. "I understand how concerning it is to receive news like this, and I want you to know that I share your concern," Williams wrote, adding that providing a safe learning environment remains among the school's highest priorities.
Williams stated that Duval County Public Schools expects all individuals working in its schools — including substitute teachers — to meet the same standards as full district employees, and that the district will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement.
News4jax.com said it had reached out to Duval County Public Schools for further comment and was awaiting a response at the time of publication.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)