Former College Prep Teacher Arrested, Charged With Sex Crime In South Florida
On March 14th, 2024, WSVN reported that a former college prep teacher in South Florida has been arrested and charged with a sex-based offense. Boris Fernando Bastidas, a 35-year-old now former teacher in Hollywood, is accused of carrying on a sexual affair with a 15-year-old student. Within this article, our Orlando sex crimes defense attorney discusses the allegations and the charges in this case in more detail.
The Allegations: Ongoing Sexual Affair With Student (Documented By Text Messages)
Boris Fernando Bastidas was previously a teacher at a high school in Hollywood, Florida. He also had several other roles at the school. Mr. Bastidas is now facing felony criminal charges after an alleged sexual relationship with an underage girl. The student in question is 15-years-old. She was a former student of the accused and she also was part of an extracurricular program that Mr. Bastidas was working for (Model United Nations). The sexual relationship in question has been documented with text messages and other evidence. It reportedly lasted for more than a year—with several unlawful physical sexual acts being alleged to have happened. Prosecutors are pursuing charges against the defendant and he was recently arrested.
Defendant is Facing Federal Criminal Charges
Similar to most other criminal charges, sex offenses are usually handled at the state level. A person prosecuted for sexual offense in Orlando or elsewhere in Orange County will often face charges under state law. However, in this case, the former South Florida school teacher is being charged with a federal crime. The federal government has jurisdiction over crimes that violate United States federal law—typically involving offenses that cross state boundaries or that occur on federal property. Mr. Bastidas reportedly engaged in unlawful sexual relations with the student while on a model UN trip from Hollywood, FL to New York City. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has played a significant role in this case.
An Accused Person is Always Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in Florida
Sex crimes are among the most serious criminal offenses. Not only do they carry significant prison time, but these offenses can also bring deep personal stigma and could even require lifetime registration as a sex offender if there is a conviction. Regardless of whether or not the defendant is facing federal charges or state charges, one of the cornerstones of the criminal justice system is that an accused person is always presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Contact Our Orlando, FL Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer Today
At The Baez Law Firm, we believe that every person is innocent until proven guilty. You have the right to have your day in court. If you or your loved one was charged with a felony sex offense, please do not hesitate to contact us for a completely confidential, no obligation initial consultation. From our Orlando law office, we defend sex crimes charges throughout all of Central Florida.
Source:
wsvn.com/news/local/broward/fbi-arrest-former-chaminade-madonna-college-prep-teacher-35-accused-of-having-affair-with-15-year-old-student/