A Lakeland substitute teacher who went by "Mr. Jeremiah" in class is now facing a felony charge after students at two Polk County middle schools reported that he touched them and made sexual comments. Deputies say 32-year-old Emmanuel Sanchez was arrested this week on one count of lewd and lascivious conduct on a minor. The reports began at Kathleen Middle on Wednesday, and detectives say additional disclosures came from Lake Gibson Middle on Tuesday, prompting investigators to act.
What investigators say
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, detectives opened their investigation after a 13-year-old girl reported that a substitute teacher sat beside her, pressed his leg against hers and rubbed her thigh while telling her she was "beautiful" and that he "liked her body." In a news release, the agency identified the suspect as Emmanuel Sanchez and said seven other students were interviewed, with their accounts backing up the girl’s report, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Allegations span two schools
Detectives later received information from Lake Gibson Middle, where two 12-year-old boys reported being touched and hearing suggestive remarks. Other students reported seeing the substitute appear visibly aroused around children, as reported by Tampa Free Press. The outlet also reports that when detectives questioned Sanchez at his Lakeland home, he admitted he was the person students knew as "Jeremiah" but denied touching the girl and denied the boys’ allegations.
School response and staffing
Polk County Public Schools confirmed that Sanchez was working as a temporary substitute through Kelly Services and that he will not return in any role at district schools, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said. Superintendent Fred Heid called the reported conduct "disgusting" and said the district will fully cooperate with law enforcement while keeping student safety front and center, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Investigators are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office as the case remains active.
Legal context
Sanchez was booked on a felony charge of lewd and lascivious conduct on a minor, an offense that Florida law classifies under §800.04. When an adult is accused of violating this statute against someone under 16, it is generally prosecuted as a second-degree felony, which can carry a prison sentence of several years. For the full statutory language and penalty structure, see Florida Statutes §800.04.
