Lakeland Substitute Teacher Accused Of Inappropriate Conduct With Students: Sheriff

LAKELAND, FL — A substitute teacher was arrested after multiple students at two Polk County middle schools reported inappropriate conduct by him, authorities said.

Emmanuel Sanchez, 32, of Lakeland was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct on a minor, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The investigation remains active.

Sanchez was employed as a temporary substitute for Polk County Schools through Kelly Services.

On Feb. 25, a 13-year-old student at Kathleen Middle School reported to staff that Sanchez, who identified himself to students as “Mr. Jeremiah”, sat down next to her with his thigh touching hers, the sheriff’s office said. He then took his hand and rubbed it up her thigh while telling her she was beautiful, had nice eyes, and that he liked her body.

Several other students in the classroom at the time told detectives that they witnessed the incident.

During the ongoing investigation into Sanchez, detectives received reports from two 12-year-old boys attending Lake Gibson Middle School on March 3.

The students reported inappropriate touching and inappropriate comments by Sanchez, deputies said

Two other students told detectives they saw Sanchez visibly erect around other students in the classroom.

On March 6, detectives contacted Sanchez at his Lakeland home.

He described the middle school girl in detail and confirmed the incidents in her report, but denied touching her, PCSO said.

He also confirmed that he prefers to be called “Jeremiah,” the name he used in the classroom.

Sanchez denied the incidents with the boys, PCSO said.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

“This is highly inappropriate and disgusting behavior by a substitute teacher. He was clearly using his position as a teacher to prey upon this student. We are reviewing other interactions he has had with other students. We encourage other students to come forward if they have been inappropriately approached by or touched by this man. We want to make sure he is held accountable and that he does not have this kind of access to other children,” Sheriff Grady Judd said.

According to Polk County Public Schools, Sanchez will no longer serve as a substitute or in any capacity in local public schools.

"This is disgusting behavior. We expect substitute teachers and all individuals who work with students to protect them and act appropriately. We will always cooperate with law enforcement to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students and keep individuals like this out of our schools,” Superintendent Fred Heid said.

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