Former Tampa High School Teacher Arrested In Student Sex Case: Police

TAMPA, FL — A former Jefferson High School teacher was arrested Thursday for engaging in inappropriate communication and unlawful sexual activity with a 17-year-old student, authorities said.

Marvin Jones, 43, was charged with lewd or lascivious touching of a minor and three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, Tampa police said in a news release.

The investigation began Sept. 11, when the school’s resource officer was notified of concerns involving Jones and the student.

Detectives with the department’s Special Victims Unit responded to the school and began investigating.

Evidence and statements gathered during the investigation showed that Jones had communicated with the student through text messages and social media apps beginning in September 2025, police said.

The conduct later escalated to repeated unlawful sexual activity, investigators learned.

“From the minute we were informed of this concern, our investigation was methodical and did not stop until this suspect was in custody,” acting Chief Brett Owen said in a statement. “We trust teachers with our kids every day, and when someone breaks that trust, they will face justice.”

Jones was booked into the Orient Road Jail following his arrest.

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