Feb 14, 2008 - James Gonzalez, 25, a Lehigh Senior High School teacher, was arrested on a charge of sexual assault on a person 16 to 17 years old.
It is alleged that he had sex with a 16-year-old girl. She told detectives that Gonzalez drove her to his home in Lehigh Acres one Sunday in December.She said they then had sex. He then drove her home, the girl said. He says that told the student that it would be inappropriate to meet her outside of school.
After investigating, Police arrested Gonzalez. He's being held without bond.
Full Name: James Francisco Gonzalez
Shown at the school web site as a physicial education teacher.
NBC2 News reports vary from first report above.
The investigation began after an anonymous tip about an inappropriate relationship between the student and an unnamed PE teacher.FIRED April 23 - The Lee County School Board voted 3-0 to fire Gonzales.
Deputies went to interview the student, but she denied the allegations. However, authorities still went to the school and talked to all of the PE teachers.
When they spoke to Gonzalez, he also denied any sexual relationships - but without being asked he mentioned the name of the 16-year-old victim and said she "was trying to get to know him on a personal level." He told investigators that he let the girl know that having contact outside of school would be inappropriate and put a stop to the situation.
Deputies then went back to the victim's home to ask her some more questions - she began to cry and admitted having a sexual relationship with Gonzalez.
