Middle School Teacher Arrested In Child Sexual Battery Case: Sarasota County Sheriff

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — A Punta Gorda Middle School teacher was arrested Friday in connection with a Sarasota County sexual battery investigation involving a child, according to a news release from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Brian L. Pavluchuk, 40, was arrested with help from the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Task Force in Fort Myers.

Pavluchuk knows the victim and is accused of sexually abusing the child multiple times over several years, from 2014 to 2017, the sheriff’s office said.

Based on interviews, witness statements and recorded admissions, detectives established probable cause for felony charges including sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation.

Charlotte County Public Schools said the crimes didn’t happen within a school setting and that Pavluchuk was placed on administrative leave.

“We are deeply troubled by the arrest made today involving a Charlotte County Public Schools employee. While this matter did not occur within a school setting, we want to be clear that every CCPS employee is held to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, both on and off campus,” Claudette Smith, public information officer for the district, said.

Smith added, “We understand the concern and disappointment this creates within our community, and we take these matters seriously. The individual has been placed on administrative leave as we follow established procedures and continue to work closely with the appropriate authorities. We encourage anyone with information related to this matter to contact local law enforcement.”

Anyone with additional information regarding the case or other possible victims is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 941-861-4900.

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