News Summary
Terrance Booker, a 40-year-old employee of Leon County Schools, has been placed on administrative leave following allegations of molestation involving a juvenile male. The investigation, led by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, stems from a report made by Booker himself. Past allegations against him in 2020 are also being revisited. This unsettling news comes on the heels of another serious case involving a school resource officer, raising concerns about student safety within the county’s schools.
Tallahassee, Florida – Terrance Booker, a 40-year-old employee of Leon County Schools and a youth director at a local church, has been placed on administrative leave following serious allegations of molestation. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) launched an investigation into Booker after claims surfaced that he sexually molested a juvenile male member of the church.
Chris Petley, the communications director for Leon County Schools, confirmed that Booker worked at W.T. Moore Elementary School. The allegations were brought to the district’s attention earlier this week when Booker disclosed them himself. Following this revelation, William Millard, the principal of W.T. Moore Elementary, communicated the situation to parents, teachers, and staff to ensure transparency within the community.
The current investigation has led to probable cause being established for one count of Lewd and Lascivious Battery, and two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation. This development is part of a broader inquiry that revisits past allegations; in 2020, Booker was previously investigated for allegedly molesting three male juveniles affiliated with the same church. However, that investigation was suspended due to insufficient evidence to support criminal charges.
As the investigation progresses, it remains unclear whether the reported incidents were isolated events or if they occurred on church or school property. In a bid to gather more information, the LCSO has invited anyone with knowledge of the incidents, or any unreported cases, to contact them at (850)606-3300.
This troubling situation follows another alarming case within the Leon County school system. Recently, Saul Garcia, a school resource officer for Godby High School, was arrested for engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Garcia is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student, which reportedly included exchanging text messages and naked photos. These interactions are alleged to have taken place during school hours. As a result of these allegations, Garcia has been terminated from his position at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
These incidents of alleged misconduct raise serious concerns about the safety and oversight of students within the Leon County Schools and its affiliated programs. The ongoing investigations highlight a potential need for increased vigilance and preventive measures within educational and community organizations that engage with youth.
As the investigations into both Booker and Garcia continue, the Leon County community is urged to remain vigilant and to report any further information that may assist law enforcement in ensuring student safety and accountability in school environments.
The focus remains on upholding the integrity of educational establishments and safeguarding the well-being of students from any form of misconduct. As the facts continue to unfold in these investigations, the community awaits further developments.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Terrance Booker Arrested
- WTXL: Youth Church Director Arrested
- Tallahassee.com: School Resource Deputy Arrested
- Wikipedia: Child Sexual Abuse
- PNJ: Pensacola Priest Abuse Allegations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Abuse
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.
