Teacher's ‘sex act' hours before arrest for illicit 8-month relationship
A high school teacher who is accused of starting an eight-month illicit relationship with one of her students had sex with the boy in her classroom just hours before she was arrested, authorities in Florida, US have said.
Brooke Anderson, 27, faces three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
Anderson, a science teacher at Riverview High School, southeast of Tampa, is accused of starting the relationship in September last year, the minor told investigators, according to The New York Post.
The relationship began with sexually explicit text messages and 'escalated' in the weeks leading up to her arrest, according to the sheriff's office.
Multiple instances of sexual activity were reported between Anderson and the student.
The most recent was inside Anderson's classroom where the pair allegedly had sex before the start of the school day on May 16, according to investigators.
That same day, Anderson was booked into jail by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office before being released on May 17 after a judge set her bail at $45,000 (around $70k AUD) — $15,000 ($23k) for each count — People.com reported.
'This teacher betrayed the trust of a student, a school, and an entire community. What should have been a safe, supportive environment for learning was exploited for abuse,' Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the press release.
'Her actions are criminal, calculated, and deeply disturbing.'
Unlawful sexual activity with a minor is a second-degree felony in Florida, and if found guilty, Anderson faces up to 15 years in prison.
She has yet to enter a plea, and it is unclear if she has an lawyer.
'Ms Anderson had been with the district since November 2021 and taught Biology,' a spokesperson for Hillsborough County Public Schools, which employed Anderson, told The Post.
'She has been suspended pending termination. She passed all required screenings and background checks prior to being hired.'
Hillsborough County Public Schools, which employed Anderson, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
7 hours ago
- ABC News
Sean 'Diddy' Combs's sobbing ex-girlfriend testifies at trial
Warning: This story contains details that may be distressing to some readers. A woman who was dating Sean "Diddy" Combs at the time of his arrest last year has broken down in tears in his trial while giving testimony about their many drug-fuelled sexual encounters. She told the New York court Mr Combs ignored her signals to stop and scolded her for crying after another encounter. Appearing under the pseudonym "Jane", the woman began her testimony in the Manhattan federal court on Thursday, local time. Jane continued her testimony on Friday, when she recounted how Mr Combs pushed her to continue having sex with men while he watched. She said this was even after she gave "subtle cues" — saying she was tired and hungry, making faces and gestures — that she wanted to stop. Instead, she said, he told her to "finish strong". Asked why she did not tell him outright, Jane sobbed: "I just, I don't know." Later, she said Mr Combs would shut her down when she tried to talk about ending the encounters, which she called "dark" and "sleazy". The 55-year-old has pleaded not guilty to running his business empire as a racketeering enterprise that enabled and concealed the abuse of women over two decades. The prosecution says he used his power to coerce victims into participating in marathon, drug-fuelled orgies known as "freak-offs". If convicted, he faces 15 years to life in prison. His legal team has asserted the sexual activities were all consensual and nothing Mr Combs did amounted to a criminal enterprise. Mr Combs, who was arrested on September 16 last year, has been denied bail, meaning he is in prison while the trial happens. He is being held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Mr Combs's trial in began on May 12 and it is expected to continue for another few weeks. Recordings of the trial are not allowed, which is why the only images from inside the court are drawings from courtroom artists. R&B singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, one of Mr Combs's ex-girlfriends has already testified, as has rapper Kid Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi. This article is a recap of the past two days of the trial. Jane's account has closely mirrored that of Ms Ventura's. Ms Ventura testified Mr Combs assaulted her and forced her into "hundreds" of encounters with male sex workers, encounters which have been referred to as "freak-offs". In court, Jane called them "hotel nights" and the men "entertainers". Prosecutor Maurene Comey sought to show that Mr Combs used his wealth to manipulate women into submitting to his sexual demands and make them reliant on him and his needs. By September 2023, Jane said, Mr Combs had been paying her rent for about five months. When asked what she feared would happen if she stopped doing hotel nights, Jane replied: "That Sean would take the house away." Mr Combs was still paying her rent, Jane said. If you need help immediately call emergency services on triple-0 After one hotel encounter, Jane said she cried and Mr Combs told her, "Don't do that right now," and, "I can't do this right now. I'm too high." She testified she had blacked out earlier from using the drug ecstasy, which Mr Combs gave her. During another encounter, she tried to remain sober but vomited in a bathroom after having sex with two men in a row. Mr Combs told her: "That's good. You'll feel better now that you've thrown up. So let's go." She then had sex with a third man, she said, describing herself as "repulsed". Jane said she endured the encounters because she valued time alone with Mr Combs afterwards. "I would really fight to block out how sad I was after," she said. In messages to him, she wrote: "My heart is really in this and it's breaking." Jane wiped away tears as she recounted the many ill effects of hotel nights, including constant back pain, frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and soreness in her genitals and pelvic areas. Jane dated Mr Combs from 2021 to 2024. On Thursday, she testified their relationship began as loving and passionate but soon veered into having her engage in sex with other men. The longest sessions lasted three and a half days, while most went on for about 24 to 30 hours. On Friday, she told the court she poured her thoughts into the Notes app on her phone in November 2021, drafting a message to Mr Combs but never sending it. "I don't know what you're calling me for, but I'm sorry I don't want to do drugs for days and days and have you use me to fulfil your freaky, wild desires in hotel rooms," Jane wrote in the unsent message. In 2023, she said she texted Mr Combs to say she longed to return to the early days of their relationship. She said regretted ever getting involved in the sexual encounters but felt obligated. Mr Combs responded: "Girl, stop," she told the court. Jane said the encounters continued into 2024 and she participated in one at Mr Combs's Miami-area estate as late as August — just weeks before his arrest at a Manhattan hotel. Jurors on Friday heard the first audio from inside one of those encounters. In the recording, Jane asked a man to wear a condom during her first hotel night, but Mr Combs "guilt tripped me out of it", she said. "It wasn't something he wanted to see," she said. Jane also said Mr Combs had her act as his drug mule at least twice, nervously smuggling pills in her checked luggage on commercial flights from Los Angeles to Miami. She said he divvied up in the coloured pills into bottles, and she ended up using some of the drugs with him. Her identity is being kept secret. To protect Jane's anonymity, the judge has barred courtroom observers from describing or sketching her appearance in a way that would reveal her identity. Ms Ventura's name and photos are being reported in this trial because she has chosen to go public with her story. Mr Combs's lawyers have tried to sew doubt among jurors about the credibility of the prosecution's witnesses. In opening arguments, lawyer Teny Geragos acknowledged Mr Combs had a "bad temper" and violent outbursts, but argued his sexual habits were part of a consensual swinger lifestyle. The defence painted Ms Ventura, for example, as an eager participant in the so-called freak-offs. When Ms Ventura was on the stand, Mr Combs's lawyers had her read texts and emails in which she expressed willingness to engage in the encounters. Before Jane began testifying, the defence cross-examined Bryana "Bana" Bongolan, a friend of Ms Ventura and a graphic designer, who is suing Mr Combs. Ms Bongolan testified that in 2016, Mr Combs held her over the edge of a balcony at a Los Angeles high-rise for 10 to 15 seconds. It was an episode that traumatised her and left her with lasting night terrors, she said. Mr Combs's lawyer Nicole Westmoreland suggested that Ms Bongolan lied or exaggerated. She noted Mr Combs was on tour for much of September 2016, including for shows on the east coast of the US — which is on the opposite side of the country to the Californian city of Los Angeles — at about the time of the alleged balcony incident. Ms Bongolan later testified she did not recall the exact date of the incident but had no doubt it occurred. AP
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
What are Donald Trump's alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein?
The uneasy history between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein is back in the spotlight after Elon Musk threw fuel on his feud with the US President by suggesting he is 'in the Epstein files'. Musk's bombshell claim was littered among a stream of erratic tweets attempting to discredit Trump, as the two former allies locked horns in one of the more embarrassing online skirmishes seen this year. '@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public,' Musk wrote. 'Have a nice day, DJT!' No evidence has been produced by Musk to support the allegation. There is no suggestion that Donald Trump was involved in Epstein's crimes. What is known, however, is that Trump and Epstein were photographed together on multiple occasions throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, and appeared to move in the same social circles during that time. One video shows Trump welcoming Epstein at a party with a throng football cheerleaders attending in 1992. Court documents also show Trump flew on Epstein's private jet several times, mostly between Florida and New York. A 2002 quote from Trump was unearthed during the Ghislaine Maxwell case, where the billionaire was heard describing Epstein as a 'terrific guy'. 'It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side,' Trump said at the time. Trump then distanced himself from Epstein, reportedly barring him from Mar-a-Lago in 2004 after Epstein allegedly attempted to recruit a staff member. The two men reportedly fell out over competing bids for real estate in Florida. Attorney-General Pam Bondi has said the FBI is reviewing tens of thousands of Epstein-related documents, with more expected to be made public soon. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino echoed that on Fox News this week, saying additional files will be released after redactions. Trouble in paradise Musk's swipe comes amid growing hostility over Trump's proposed economic policies. The president accused Musk, who was very recently directing Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, of opposing his plans to cut EV subsidies and raise the federal debt ceiling. Musk responded by saying Trump's administration should 'go ahead, make my day' and cut SpaceX contracts. Musk has repeatedly mentioned the 'Epstein list' in recent months, a vague term often invoked online referring to sealed court documents related to Epstein's criminal activities. While some Epstein files have been released, most remain sealed to 'protect ongoing investigations' and victim privacy. The public record reflects no criminal accusations against Trump in connection to Epstein, and his past association with the financier is not unique among high-profile businessmen of the era. But Musk's sudden 180 on the US President has raised further questions. How did the world's richest man go from dancing around at campaigns, claiming civilisation would collapse if Trump lost the election, to accusing him of being linked to Epstein? Suspicions were multiplied when Musk arrived for a news conference at the Oval Office with a black eye and a black DOGE cap. The Tesla boss told the media it had occurred while playing rough with his youngest child. Trump later claimed Musk went 'crazy' when he learned an electric vehicle 'mandate' was being scrapped. 'Elon was 'wearing thin',' Trump said, declaring he had booted Musk from the White House. 'I asked him to leave, I took away his [electric vehicle] mandate that forced everyone to buy electric cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY! 'The easiest way to save money in our budget, billions and billions of dollars, is to terminate Elon's government subsidies and contracts. 'I was always surprised that Biden didn't do it!' The Epstein files In February, a personal address book of Jeffrey Epstein's was released by Trump's Justice Department, which included a new list of celebrities and politicians whom the pedophile financier had in his phone. Among the famous names released by the Department of Justice: Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, actor Alec Baldwin, Ethel Kennedy — the mother of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., supermodel Naomi Campbell and rocker Courtney Love. Thursday's unveiling was comprised of over 100 pages including a contact list that belonged to the convicted pedophile financier. The list is not 'a client list,' but includes names of people on Epstein's vast contact list. While the list of names were revealed, their addresses and contact information were redacted. The vast majority of names on the list — if not all of them — had been previously reported in the years of lawsuits and document leaks in the case. The US Attorney-General claimed the FBI has withheld 'thousands of pages' of critical documents relating to Epstein, demanding the bureau provide 'full and complete' access. In a fiery letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney-General Pam Bondi said she had only received 'approximately 200 pages of documents' which consisted of flight logs, contact lists and victim's names related to Epstein, despite requesting access to the 'full' files. 'I repeatedly questioned whether this was the full set of documents responsive to my request and was repeatedly assured by the FBI that we had received the full set of documents,' Ms Bondi wrote in the letter. 'Late yesterday, I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein.'
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Karly Rae, NSW teacher accused of sex with teenager, granted bail due to pregnancy
A high school teacher accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy near Newcastle has been granted bail after revealing in court that she is pregnant. Karly Rae appeared in the New South Wales Supreme Court in Sydney via audio-visual link on Friday to apply for bail. Earlier this week the 36-year-old pleaded not guilty to aggravated sexual intercourse with the 15-year-old boy in October 2024. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 12 years behind bars. Court documents allege that she communicated with the 15-year-old on social media. The teacher also pleaded not guilty to possessing child abuse material and grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity. Due to the seriousness of the charges Ms Rae was required show cause in order to receive bail and had to argue why her detention was not justified. The show-cause provision hinged on her pregnancy. While considering the release application today Justice Hament Dhanji was told Ms Rae was 23 weeks pregnant and due to give birth in September. Prosecutor Lucas Velcic noted that there were complications with the pregnancy but stressed the case was strong. "In short, the Crown submits it is a very strong – if not overwhelming – case in relation to the most serious of charges," he said. But Mr Velcic added that the Crown accepted that the risk associated with gestational diabetes was "a persuading factor" in terms of showing cause. Justice Dhanji said Ms Rae's pregnancy limited the risk she would abscond. "She is a significant way through pregnancy and about to have a child, not to mention in custody," he said. "In circumstances where there is no prior record, it would have to be thought in those circumstances [during pregnancy] the risk would be very much reduced." The court also heard concerns about a prior release on bail when Ms Rae allegedly contacted the boy and asked him, according to the prosecution, to "give a false version of events". Justice Dhanji told the court Ms Rae contacted the boy the first time she was granted bail. "She telephoned the complainant on the 14th of January," he said. Ms Rae has pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice. Mr Velcic said he feared for the boy's wellbeing. "The nature of the breach is very serious — five phone calls and the continual attempt to contact a vulnerable complainant, and those concerns remain today," he said. Justice Dhanji granted bail and told the court the risks could be "ameliorated". "She is well advanced in pregnancy and it is highly improbable there will be any attempt by the applicant to engage in sexual activity with a child," he said. As part of her 10 bail conditions Ms Rae must report to police three times a week, be subject to home detention and not go within 500 metres of a port or airport. She must also stay off social media. Ms Rae's Legal Aid solicitor, Cleo Patrizi, did not speak during the proceedings but her client did motion to her several times. Wearing a prison-issued sloppy joe and a gold crucifix necklace, Ms Rae sobbed throughout proceedings. She let out a big sigh and put her head in her hands when bail was granted. Ms Rae also sobbed when the court was told she would never teach again. Ms Rae is schedule to appear in Newcastle District Court on July 3, when a trial date is expected to be fixed.
