Latest news with #AudleyHewitt
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Report: Arrested teacher groomed student before sending messages leading to his charges
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Arrest records for an IR Prep teacher charged with battery and sexual solicitation of a minor show the 61-year-old is accused of inappropriately touching a student at least a year before he began seeking sex in exchange for better grades, completed homework and money. Details of a warrant affidavit leading to the July 17 arrest of Audley Hewitt, of the 8000 block of Westfield Circle, outline his alleged behavior toward the student, which is reported to have begun at age 16, and at some point during his time as her teacher from 2023 through 2025. Another IR Prep teacher at the grades 6 to 12 alternative school alerted law enforcement May 14 after reviewing messages initiated by Hewitt to the student from Jan. 22 through March 5. Indian River County Sheriff's Office Capt. Joe Abollo said the school notified the agency's school resource deputy the same day, beginning a two-month investigation. The length of the investigation was attributed to the time it took for social media companies to grant law enforcement access to Hewitt's social media content and messages that would become evidence for his arrest. In statements of what are said to be messages from Hewitt to the girl, he several times requests to meet her for sex and for images of her. He acknowledges her age and that they would have to 'be careful' to not get caught. Later he began sending money for various expenses leading to what amounted to a proposition of $200 for sex with the student, according to the affidavit. Deputies were told Hewitt requested the student to come into his classroom and instructed her to 'write her email and phone number down on a sheet of paper' leading to the social media conversation. According to the affidavit and statements from the student, 'Hewitt would also refer to the conversation while in person.' In one message exchange Hewitt is accused of sending 'a photograph of the victim's updated passing grade,' and several times mentioned he was doing her homework, instructing her how to respond if asked. More: 72-year-old woman imprisoned for embezzling $700,000 from Holy Cross Church in Vero Beach Abollo said it does not appear an actual physical encounter occurred between Hewitt and the girl. Hewitt's battery charge Abollo said was a result of the alleged inappropriate touching beginning in 2023. According to the affidavit, around that time, Hewitt began 'rubbing her back' and 'making unnecessary conversation' with the teen, which turned into what she said was an estimated 60 instances of the behavior throughout the year. The report shows Hewitt referenced the touching in the messages with the girl. Asked if other students had made complaints against Hewitt or if he was suspected of similar behavior with other students, Abollo said, "it's still an active investigation" and that detectives were "looking at that angle." After being notified of the accusation, the district removed Hewitt from his teaching role and employed him in the school district print shop. Sebastian: DEP issues warning letter in mangrove case Food truck rules: Indian River County eyes revising, updating food-truck rules as Griddle and Grind moves back In a statement following his arrest, a district spokesperson said the superintendent was seeking an expedited termination of Hewitt. Hewitt was named the 2022 IR Prep "Teacher of the Year," according to school district social media records. He has been charged with: Soliciting to commit sexual battery on a child; battery touch or strike; attempted sexual activity with a minor; and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, according to Indian River County Sheriff's Office records. Following his first appearance in court July 18 on the four charges, jail records showed Hewitt remained incarcerated on $115,000 bail and did not have an attorney listed. Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Teacher groomed student before sending messages, arrest, report shows
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Alternative school teacher arrested on sex solicitation involving minors, battery charges
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An alternative school teacher has been arrested on charges related to battery and soliciting lewd and lascivious acts from minors. Audley Hewitt, 61, who was named 2022 IR Prep Teacher of the Year, was arrested just before noon July 17, law enforcement and school district records show. His full charges include soliciting a sexual battery act by a custodian with a victim under 18; battery touch or strike; unlawful use of a two-way communication device, according to Indian River County Sheriff's Office records. Arrest records show he was arrested at his residence west of Vero Beach in the 6400 block of 26th Street at 11:51 a.m. A student reported Hewitt's alleged actions saying he was "engaged in inappropriate relationships" and "soliciting a student," according to an Indian River County Sheriff's Office news release. A School District of Indian River County spokesperson provided a statement acknowledging the arrest and 'allegations involving a teacher at IR Prep,' and that both referred to Hewitt. The allegations in the student's report occurred from Jan. 22 through March, Capt. Joe Abollo said. He said the district notified law enforcement of the student's report at a later date. It's unclear at what point between March and the date of Hewitt's arrest the school notified the agency of the matter. 'As soon as the matter was brought to the District's attention, appropriate steps were immediately taken,' district spokesperson Kyra Schafte said in an emailed statement. 'The District conducted an internal investigation and, consistent with its obligations, promptly reported the matter to the Department of Children and Families and to the Indian River County Sheriff's Office.' Superintendent David Moore approved a measure to speed up Hewitt's termination of employment. IR Prep at 1426 18th Street is a secondary school for students in grades six through12. Hewitt was not found among an online list of faculty, however, an Oct. 11, 2022 Facebook picture and caption depicts the school's principal, Dariyall Brown, posing with Hewitt who was awarded as that year's 'Teacher of the Year.' (This story was updated with more information.) More: 2 men indicted in 2024 IRC triple murder accuse each other, court records show More: Law enforcement pursuit on U.S. 1, Wabasso bridge ends in man's arrest after 2 PIT stops Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: IR Prep school teacher arrested on sex solicitation charge involving minors
