SPRING HILL, FL — A Jamaican national employed as a teacher in Florida is facing serious criminal charges and the potential for deportation following allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a student.
Jonathan Rowe, 45, who taught mathematics at Explorer K-8 School in Hernando County, was arrested on Monday at his residence in Spring Hill. He has been charged with distributing obscene material to a minor and using a two-way communication device during the commission of a felony.
- Advertisement -
According to law enforcement reports, a 15-year-old male student informed police that during class, he had asked Rowe to show him a photo they had recently taken together. The student alleged that while attempting to retrieve the image on his phone, Rowe scrolled through his gallery and paused on several images that appeared to be inappropriate in nature.
The student further claimed that Rowe instructed him to take the phone into a restroom and capture similar images of himself, a request the teen said he declined. The incident was subsequently reported to school authorities and law enforcement.
During an interview with investigators, Rowe allegedly admitted to having explicit images on his personal device but did not confirm whether those images were shown to the student.
As a result of the investigation, Rowe was immediately terminated from his position at Explorer K-8. A spokesperson for the Hernando County School District stated that Rowe “will not be allowed to return” to any school within the district.
Rowe is reportedly in the United States on a J-1 visa, a non-immigrant visa issued for educational and cultural exchange programs. The charges he faces could impact his immigration status and may lead to removal proceedings.
The case remains under active investigation. Authorities have not indicated whether additional charges are expected. No other students have been identified in connection with the allegations at this time.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with relevant information to contact their office as the investigation continues.
