Brian L. Pavluchuk, a Punta Gorda Middle School teacher, was arrested in Sarasota County on Friday, July 24, 2026, after detectives say he sexually abused a child multiple times between 2014 and 2017. Authorities say Pavluchuk faces felony counts that include sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation.
Arrest and charges
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested Pavluchuk and charged him with multiple felonies, according to Tampa Bay 28. Detectives told the outlet that witness interviews and statements led them to conclude the alleged abuse went on over several years.
School response and role
Pavluchuk is listed on the Punta Gorda Middle School staff pages as a classroom teacher and sponsor of extracurricular clubs, according to the school’s website. The page shows him as a sponsor of the National Junior Honor Society and lists his contact information with a Charlotte County Public Schools email address.
Investigation details
Investigators told reporters the alleged incidents took place between 2014 and 2017 and that the victim is known to Pavluchuk, as reported by Tampa Bay 28. The school district told the station the employee has been placed on administrative leave while authorities continue their inquiry.
Local context
The arrest follows other high-profile educator cases in the Punta Gorda area this year. Earlier this spring a former Punta Gorda Middle School teacher and coach received a lengthy federal sentence in a child sex case.
The case remains active, and prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges in court. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section or visit the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office website for reporting instructions.
