Orange County Middle School Teacher Arrested And Charged For Inappropriate Touching Of Students
According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, an Orange County teacher has been arrested and charged with a serious criminal offense for the alleged inappropriate touching of students. Javier Fernando Romero-Gonzalez—who was a middle school Spanish teacher Innovation Middle School in Orlando, FL—is facing a lewd and lascivious conduct charge. Within this article, our Orlando sex crimes defense attorney discusses the allegations and the charges in more detail.
Orlando Middle School Teacher Arrested for Lewd and Lascivious Conduct With Students
Javier Fernando Romero-Gonzalez, an Orange County middle school Spanish teacher, has been arrested following allegations of inappropriate conduct involving students. Accused of lewd and lascivious behavior, Romero-Gonzalez allegedly took photos and videos of students during class, and engaged in improper physical contact. Prompted by reports of his misconduct in April, the Orlando Police Department interviewed four female students who corroborated these allegations. According to Orange County Public Schools, Mr. Romero-Gonzalez was placed on administrative leave following the arrest.
An Overview of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct Charges in Florida
Lewd and lascivious conduct charges in Florida encompass various acts considered sexually offensive or indecent, particularly involving minors. It is a very serious criminal offense that carries severe penalties Here is an overview of the sex crimes charge:
- The Definition: Florida Statutes define lewd or lascivious conduct as any indecent or obscene act committed intentionally in the presence of a person under 16 years old. This may include touching or encouraging the child to engage in such behavior.
- The Categories: Lewd and lascivious is not, by itself, a type of offense. Indeed, there are four main categories – Lewd or Lascivious Battery (Engaging in sexual activity with a minor), Molestation (Inappropriate touching), Conduct (Other sexual actions), and Exhibition (Indecent exposure).
- The Penalties: The severity of the penalty depends on the category of the offense, ranging from third-degree felony to life felony. Penalties may include imprisonment, fines, probation, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. As with other criminal allegations, the penalties will depend on many different factors, including the specific charges.
Of course, any person charged with lewd and lascivious conduct or any other sex-based criminal offense has a right to defend themselves in court. No person is presumed guilty of a criminal offense based solely on a charge. An Orlando sex crimes defense lawyer can help a person navigate a lewd and lascivious conduct charge in Central Florida.
Get Help From a Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer in Florida
At The Baez Law Firm, our Orlando sex crimes defense attorney has the professional expertise that you can rely on. We are devoted to the core principle of justice that every person is innocent until proven guilty—no matter what crime they have been charged with. Contact us today to set up your fully confidential consultation. With a law office in Orlando, we defend felony sex crimes charges in Orange County and all across the surrounding region in Central Florida.
Source:
fox35orlando.com/news/orange-county-middle-school-teacher-arrested-for-inappropriately-touching-students-police
