Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With Minor: Hillsborough Sheriff

TAMPA, FL — A teacher at Idea Hope Charter School was arrested for a sexual relationship with a minor, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Deputies responded to a Marathon Gas Station at 1302 North Parsons Ave. in Tampa on June 17.

They learned that Vernon White Jr., who was 31 at the time, gave a ride to a 17-year-old on June 17, the sheriff’s office said. While in the car, the victim and White performed sexual acts with each other.

Investigators with the HCSO Special Victims Section spoke to White, who admitted to giving the victim a ride, but denied any sexual activity. DNA testing confirmed that the sexual activity took place, the sheriff’s office said.

White was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and one count of lewd or lascivious touching of a minor 16 or 17 years of age by a person 24 years of age or older.

The victim was not a student at Idea Hope Charter School. White had no disciplinary history at the school, where he has been employed as a teacher since 2021.

"A teacher is supposed to be a trusted community member who looks out for the well-being of children. This crime is a reprehensible betrayal of someone in a position of authority," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Our detectives conducted a thorough investigation to bring this individual to justice."