JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A substitute teacher at First Coast High School is behind bars after police say he engaged in sexual activity with a minor student.
27-year-old Cameron Coverson faces five charges. They are two counts of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, offenses against students by authority figures, traveling to meet a minor to do unlawful acts and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. Students told Action News Jax he previously attended the school.
According to the arrest report, the student told police she and Coverson engaged in sexually based conversations over the summer that she described as student-teacher roleplay. Investigators say Coverson told her he was, “giving her extra homework”, described his private parts and, “said he wanted to have sex with her”.
The report says the two agreed to meet in May. Police say the student reported Coverson picked her up, drove to a nearby park, and engaged in sexual activity in his car.
A third incident happened during school on September 16. Investigators say video surveillance shows Coverson and the student entering a classroom with no cameras inside. The student told police that Coverson wanted to talk about what happened over the summer. The arrest report says when they discussed blocking each other’s numbers, she tried to leave. The student says Coverson hugged her and would not let her go. The report says he rubbed her buttocks, tried to move her toward a closet, and grabbed her wrist when she pushed him away.
“Honestly, it’s terrible,” former First Coast High School father Stevein Davis said.
Davis says his children once attended the school, and he was shocked to hear this happened.
“If they’re safe at home, you send them out in the world, and they should be safe at school,” Davis said.
The arrest report says another student reported the incident to the principal after the victim shared what happened. That is something Davis agrees with as a father.
“If you see something, say something. And that is what I tell my children. And it is not being a snitch, but if it is something that is not right, you should say something, and you should not walk away,” Davis said.
Coverson’s bond is set at six hundred fifty thousand dollars. He has pleaded non-guilty.
First Coast High School’s principal sent this message to parents:
Hello First Coast High School families, this is Principal Williams.
We have been notified that a substitute teacher who worked at our school, Camerson Arnez Coverson, was arrested by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on multiple charges including Offenses Against Students by Authority Figures and Unlawful Sexual Activity with Certain Minors.
Mr. Coverson is directly employed by ESS, the school district’s substitute staffing provider. While he is not an employee of Duval County Public Schools, I understand how concerning it is to receive news like this, and I want you to know that I share your concern. Providing a safe learning environment for our students is among our highest priorities at all times.
Duval County Public Schools expects everyone who works in our schools, including substitute teachers, to adhere to the same high standards we hold for our employees. The District will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and follow all applicable district policies and procedures.
As always, thank you for your continued support of First Coast High School. If you have any questions or information related to the investigation, please contact JSO on their non-emergency line at 904-630-0500.
Action News Jax reached out to ESS for comment. We are still waiting to hear back.
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