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Lake Mary teacher accused of sending inappropriate texts

LAKE MARY, Fla. – A Lake Mary High School teacher was arrested this week after being accused of sending inappropriate text messages to a student.

What you need to know

  • Lake Mary High School teacher Richard Colon was arrested Thursday after he was accused of sending inappropriate text messages to a student

  • At his first appearance Friday, a judge set his bail at $80,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the alleged victim, no contact with minors, no contact with Lake Mary High School and no access to electrical devices with the I have the opportunity to access the Internet

  • His arraignment is scheduled for November 1st



According to Seminole County Public Schools, Richard Colon was placed on administrative leave after the allegations were made.

According to an arrest report from the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Colon was accused of having “sexual conversations” with a student via text message beginning in July.

“During these conversations, Colon explicitly described sexual activities in which he and (the student) were engaged and indicated a desire to participate in those activities,” the report states.

On July 30, he is accused of sending the student a photo of himself with his genitals exposed. Investigators said the messages “peaked on Sept. 28” when he allegedly invited the student to his Lake County home “for sexual activity.”

Colon was arrested by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and charged with distribution of obscene material to a minor and engaging in obscene communication with intent to entice a child.

According to Seminole County Public Schools, Colon has been at Lake Mary High since 2001, where he was a former teacher of the year. After spending the night in jail, Colon appeared in court for the first time Friday.

Joshua Butler is a student in Colon's AP Human Geography course. He said he wasn't surprised when he saw the email about his teachers' arrest.

“Every time, before or after class, he would hug girls,” Butler said. “Before class he would come in and hug a girl, and when they came in after class he would hug her and say hello.”

Butler said Friday at Lake Mary High that two district employees came to Colon's class and asked if any students needed to report or speak to a counselor.

“They asked me a few questions when I expected that,” Butler said.

The judge at Colon's first appearance said that if the Lake Mary teacher is released, he will not be allowed to have contact with the alleged victim, the minors and Lake Mary High School, and will not be allowed to have access to any electrical devices with internet access. Joshua's father hopes Colon won't have to return to class anytime soon and admit he wouldn't feel comfortable doing so.

Colon's bond was set at $80,000.

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