JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 27-year-old Jacksonville man who worked as a substitute teacher at First Coast High School was arrested Monday on charges involving a student, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Cameron Coverson was arrested on a warrant and charged with two counts of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, offenses against students by authority figures, traveling to meet a minor to commit unlawful acts and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
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Duval County Public Schools said Coverson was employed by ESS, the district’s substitute staffing provider.
First Coast’s Principal Ronnie Williams sent a message to families, saying, in part:
“I understand how concerning it is to receive news like this, and I want you to know that I share your concern. Providing a safe learning environment for our students is among our highest priorities at all times.
Duval County Public Schools expects everyone who works in our schools, including substitute teachers, to adhere to the same high standards we hold for our employees. The District will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and follow all applicable district policies and procedures."
The arrest report says the investigation began after a student reported concerns to the school’s principal. Investigators allege Coverson had an inappropriate relationship with a student over the summer in May and later had inappropriate contact with the student at school.
The report said the nature of the messages turned inappropriate, with what the student told police were “student-teacher roleplay” conversations.
The two met at a park for a sexual interaction on Aug. 1, according to the report. On Sept. 16, the report said, Coverson asked the student to come to his classroom. Video captured only the two walking into the room.
The student told police that while in the classroom, Coverson wanted to talk about what happened over the summer and suggested blocking each other’s numbers.
The report said the student wanted to leave, but Coverson wouldn’t let her go and attempted to force her into the classroom’s closet before she demanded he let her go.
The report also says detectives reviewed messages and conducted a controlled phone call as part of the investigation. During the call, the student expressed frustration to Coverson, stating: “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, the report says. He was booked into the Duval County jail.
His arraignment is set for Oct. 14, but according to court documents, Coverson has waived his appearance and pleaded not guilty.
News4JAX reached out to DCPS for comment and is awaiting a reply.