LAKE MARY, Fla. – A Lake Mary High School teacher was arrested on Thursday afternoon amid an “allegation of misconduct,” according to the school district.
In a release, district officials said that the teacher — Richard Colon, 55 — also served as an assistant girls soccer coach at the high school, though he was immediately placed on administrative leave following his arrest.
The principal received a tip about the allegations relating to Colon and another student. The incident was reported to the Department of Family and Children Services and law enforcement, the district said.
According to an arrest report, Colon had been having “sexual conversations” via text messages with a student from July to September.
“The messages culminated on Sept. 28, 2024, when (the student went) to Colon’s home, located in Lake County, for sexual activity,” the report states.
At this time, Colon has not been charged in connection with that allegation.
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A message sent out to staff and families says the incident involved “inappropriate conduct with a student.”
“Any allegations of misconduct by our staff will be taken seriously and handled quickly,” the release reads. “We will continue to fully cooperate and assist law enforcement as they continue their investigation. The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority and any type of behavior that jeopardizes that safety will not be tolerated in Seminole County Public Schools.”
He faces charges of obscene material distributing or transmitting harmful information to minors and obscene communication using a computer to seduce a child.
During a first appearance hearing on Friday, Colon was given $40,000 bond for each charge and was banned from returning to the high school or contacting the victims. He bonded out Friday night.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crimeline at (800) 423-8477 or the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office at (407) 665-6650.
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