Former Polk County substitute teacher arrested for inappropriate relationship with 16-year-old student

The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a former substitute teacher for committing sexual offenses against a student.

Timeline:

A 16-year-old female Haines City High School student reported to her mother that she received sexually charged messages and photos from her former substitute teacher, 23-year-old Chase Crabb of Kissimmee.

The student stated that the conversations started when she was 15 and went on between December 2023 and December 2024.

Their contact began over email, then progressed to text messages, and correspondence via Instagram, TikTok, and Discord. 

Crabb sent multiple sexually suggestive messages to her, and pictures of his crotch. He also solicited nude photographs from the victim, and tried to convince her to engage in sexual intercourse with him.

Some of the text messages sent by Crabb to the victim include:

10/02/24 – "Uhhhhh, I mean is it wrong for me to be sexually attracted to a minor? WHO SAID THAT"

10/22/24 – "Nah cause they won’t be interesting [adult females] It’s more fun to groom heh"

10/23/24 – "The only time I’d cut your off is if I genuinely felt like if I continued the police would come after me."

Crabb was formerly employed as a substitute teacher in Polk County Public Schools. 

What they're saying:

"It’s unacceptable and disgusting for any educator to use their position to have inappropriate contact with a student. People who behave this way will be caught, and we fully support the efforts of law enforcement to help protect our students." – Fred Heid, Superintendent, Polk County Public Schools

He last worked as a substitute teacher at Haines City High in March 2024. Polk County Public Schools did not receive any reports of inappropriate behavior during Crabb’s time as a substitute. 

What they're saying:

"Sexual exploitation of any child by anyone, in every circumstance is horrific and unacceptable, especially when it’s a substitute teacher. They are trusted to guide and protect our kids, not take advantage of them. When someone in that role crosses the line, it’s a serious betrayal of trust. We’re committed to making sure anyone who harms a child is held accountable and faces the consequences for their actions." – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Chase Crabb has been charged with transmission of harmful material to a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

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The Source: The information in this article comes from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

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