Cesar Oriol Cardoso, 53, was arrested Sept. 11 and is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He faces charges of offenses against students by authority figures, showing obscene material to a minor, and lewd and lascivious conduct on a child under 16 after five students accused him of inappropriate touching and displaying sexually explicit images and videos, according to CBS News Miami and the Miami Herald.
District removed him after allegations
Cardoso taught at Sunset Park Elementary School, at 10235 SW 84th St. in Kendall. Miami-Dade County Public Schools said he was removed from the school in April 2026 after administrators learned of the allegations and separated from the district in May. The district also said he is permanently barred from seeking or obtaining future employment there, according to CBS News Miami and NBC 6 South Florida.
What investigators allege
The investigation began in April after students reported that Cardoso took them from classes, physical education or lunch to his classroom and showed them material on his cellphone. Reports by ABC 33/40 and NBC 6, citing the arrest report, say the material allegedly included nude images, a photograph purportedly showing Cardoso naked and videos depicting sexual activity.
The arrest report also describes allegations of unwanted contact involving several students, including touching of their arms, hair, thighs, waists, chests and buttocks, according to ABC 33/40. NBC 6 reported additional allegations involving comments about kissing students, an attempted kiss and contact that allegedly continued after a student told Cardoso to stop. The allegations have not been adjudicated in court.
Arrest and response
After his arrest, Cardoso declined to provide a statement to Miami-Dade Schools Police and invoked his right to remain silent, according to Local 10 News and NBC 6. He remains jailed while the criminal case proceeds.
Florida law prohibits a school authority figure from soliciting or engaging in sexual or lewd conduct with a student; a violation is a second-degree felony, according to the Florida statute.
Florida reporting requirements
According to the Florida Department of Education, covered public schools, charter schools and qualifying private schools must post policies and procedures for reporting alleged misconduct by instructional personnel or administrators that affects a student’s health, safety or welfare. The verified guidance does not establish how frequently Florida has revoked, suspended or restricted educators’ licenses for sexual misconduct involving students, or identify a typical penalty.
