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Longtime Duval County schools custodian accused of kidnapping, rape of child under 12

Police said Wayne Williams, 62, worked for Duval schools for nearly 30 years at 10 different schools. The child he's accused of sexually abusing is under 12.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Duval County School Board custodian was arrested last week and arrested on charges of kidnapping and several counts of rape on a child. Wayne Williams, 62, has worked for Duval County Public Schools for nearly 30 years. During that time, he's worked at about 10 different schools including elementary, middle and high schools.

  • Feb. 1993 – Raines High
  • Oct. 1995 – Kirby Smith Middle
  • May 2001 – Brentwood Elementary
  • May 2003 – School Custodial Services
  • July 2003 – Matthew Gilbert Middle
  • Oct. 2004 – Louis Sheffield Elementary
  • Aug. 2005 – Workers Compensation
  • Sept. 2005 – Louis Sheffield Elementary
  • June. 2009 – San Mateo Elementary
  • Feb. 2012 – Biscayne Elementary
  • April 2014 – First Coast High
  • April 2015 – Highlands Elementary
  • July 2016 – Ramona Boulevard Elementary

Police received the initial report in August on a possible capital sexual battery. Williams was identified as the suspect, police said during a news conference Tuesday.

While there is only one victim in this crime, police believe there may be others. Based on the length of Williams tenure with the schools, police said potential victims may now be adults as well as children.

Williams was booked into Duval County jail on Nov. 8 and charged with three counts of capital sexual battery against a victim less than 12, two counts of sexual battery on a victim less than 16 and one count of kidnapping, police said.

"There are indications the suspect has engaged in this type of activity going back as far as the early 90s. While this is still an ongoing investigation, we want the public to know that we still believe there are additional victims out there that have not come forward at this point in time those victims could be children or be adults based on their ages." JSO Special Assault Unit, Lt. Jacob Vorpahl said. 

In addition, internal investigations on Mr. Williams have been conducted three times prior to this matter.

2015 – Investigated for inappropriate comments of a sexual nature about students in a conversation with an employee. Determined to be unsubstantiated. 

2018 – Investigated for non-sexual inappropriate comments with students. Given verbal warning.

2021 – Investigated for allegation of asking a student for nude photos.  Referred to Department of Children and Families and Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office. District investigation concluded the allegations were unsubstantiated.

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