Lake guidance counselor accused of sex with student
A school guidance counselor faces molestation charges after he was accused of having sexual relations with a 15-year-old student at Mount Dora High School, according to police.
The girl said Jason William Roberts, 40, performed sexual acts on two occasions between January and March.
She told deputies the incidents occurred in an empty classroom across the courtyard from the guidance building at Mount Dora High School between Jan. 16 and March 10.
“The victim stated in the moment she thought what Mr. Roberts was doing was ‘ok’ because she wanted attention and no one wanted to date her,” Mount Dora Police Det. Patricia Thomas wrote in a police report. “She felt the attention by Mr. Roberts filled a void.”
According to the arrest affidavit, two students walked into the classroom during one of the reported assaults, and after they left, Roberts “told the victim he could go to jail for his actions.”
Documents show the victim told police that she and Roberts had conversations via text message.
Roberts has been employed by the Lake County School District since 2012 and had been on paid suspension since August on an unrelated issue, said David Meyers, manager of employee relations.
It’s not clear if he is still on paid leave.
Roberts, of Ocala, had previously received disciplinary actions in the past for inappropriate use of the district data network and falsification of school documents, Meyers said. He most recently worked at Mount Dora Middle School, but worked at the high school in early 2017.
He was arrested Wednesday and released from the Lake County Jail on a $20,000 bond.