JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Duval County Public Schools maintenance worker is facing multiple felony charges for sexual misconduct with a minor, the school district announced on Monday.
Kevin Bryan Pearce, 57, was hired by DCPS in December 2017.
He faces the following felony charges, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office:
- Solicitation of a child using a computer to engage in sexual conduct
- Travel to meet after using a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child
- Transmission of harmful materials to a minor
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
- Coerce commercial sexual activity of an adult for human trafficking
The district said it's conducting a professional standards investigation following Pearce's arrest.
Pearce's arrest comes after five DCPS teachers were removed from their classroom, prompting the district to create a comprehensive plan for how to handle teacher misconduct.
DCPS said Pearce did not report to a specific school, but instead was a carpenter who completed work orders at schools that needed maintenance.
DCPS sent the following statement to parents regarding Pearce's arrest:
"Dear Team Duval families,
This is Duval County Public Schools. We are reaching out to share very disappointing news.
We learned that a district maintenance employee, Kevin Bryan Pearce, was recently arrested by JSO on charges related to solicitation of a minor.
The charges include obscene communication and use of a computer to seduce, solicit, and lure a child.
The district is monitoring this criminal process closely. In addition to the criminal proceedings, the district is conducting a professional standards investigation.
The presumption of innocence applies. However if or when this individual is released from custody, they will be assigned a role with no student contact pending the outcome of both the criminal and district investigations.
While this is disheartening information, we wanted you to be aware of this incident and the steps we are taking in response.
Thank you as always for your support."