Hillsborough Teacher Accused Of Sending Inappropriate Messages To Former Student

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — A Hillsborough County middle school teacher was arrested Friday after investigators accused him of exchanging inappropriate messages with a former teenage student for years.

Christian Schneider, 31, a teacher at Memorial Middle School, faces two counts of solicitation or possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

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Authorities began investigating Schneider last month and learned he had been sending inappropriate messages to a former student from Franklin Middle School, according to the sheriff's office.

Schneider told deputies the inappropriate communication with the student had been occurring since 2023, authorities said.

The sheriff's office did not release additional information about the student or the nature of the alleged communications.

"Teachers hold a position of trust that comes with enormous responsibility," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "When that trust is exploited, it's not just a crime, it's a violation of everything our schools are supposed to stand for."

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.