News Summary
Saul Garcia, a school resource deputy in Leon County, has been charged with unlawful sexual activity involving a 16-year-old female student at Godby High School. The investigation revealed a sexual relationship, including extensive texting, and sharing of nude photographs. Garcia has been arrested and terminated from his position at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office after the allegations were confirmed. The incident raises concerns regarding the conduct of school resource officers, especially given the recent scrutiny of related misconduct cases within the district.
Leon County, Florida
Saul Garcia, a school resource deputy in Leon County, has been charged with unlawful sexual activity involving a 16-year-old female student at Godby High School. This serious allegation has led to Garcia’s arrest and subsequent termination from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).
The investigation into Garcia began on April 16, 2023, after the sheriff’s office received an anonymous complaint. This initiated an inquiry that ultimately revealed the existence of a sexual relationship between Garcia and the student, which included extensive texting and social media interaction.
As the investigation unfolded, it was determined that Garcia had logged the student’s absences as excused. Furthermore, it was reported that the relationship escalated to the sharing of nude photographs electronically. Following these findings, a warrant was issued for Garcia’s arrest.
On Thursday, Garcia voluntarily turned himself in at the Wakulla County Jail. The LCSO confirmed that after the allegations surfaced, he was immediately removed from his position at Godby High School and placed on administrative leave. Upon confirmation of the unlawful activity, his employment with the sheriff’s office was subsequently terminated.
Currently, the sheriff’s office does not suspect that any other students were involved in this incident. Garcia, who began his tenure with LCSO in 2018, had prior experience as a school resource deputy at Fort Braden School before being assigned to Godby High School.
Background Context
The alarming charges against Garcia have added to growing concerns regarding the conduct of school resource officers within the district. Recent months have seen increasing scrutiny of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, with multiple arrests of school-based employees for various forms of misconduct, including allegations of sexual abuse and drug-related offenses.
In 2021, Garcia had publicly expressed a commitment to aiding students and steering them away from criminal activity, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and support in school settings. However, this current case puts a stark contrast to those intentions, prompting serious discussions about the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement within educational institutions.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the investigation remains active, and the community seeks reassurance that the safety and wellbeing of students are being prioritized and protected.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: LCSO Deputy Arrested for Sex with Minor
- WTXL: Leon County SRD Charged with Having Sex with Teen Student
- Tallahassee.com: Leon County School Deputy Facing Felony Charges
- Wikipedia: School Resource Officer
- Tallahassee.com: Woodville Student Arrested for Assaulting School Deputy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Resource Officer
- WTXL: Leon County Deputy and Son Facing Charges
- Google Search: Leon County School Resource Officer Misconduct
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
