MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Authorities with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 54-year-old teacher last week and charged him with Lewd and Lascivious Behavior-Molest Victim Less Than 12 Years of Age.
MCSO Major Crimes Detective Hunter Kephart was notified in September that Jeffery Farris, a Summerfield resident who teaches physical education at Saddlewood Elementary in Ocala, had been accused by a victim of touching her inappropriately when she was eight years old. According to the report, the victim said Farris sent her into an equipment room “and, when she bent over, grabbed her private areas. The victim also disclosed that Farris had been grabbing her by the waist on previous occasions before the incident.”
In the course of the investigation, Detective Kephart learned that Farris had been suspended from his job as a wrestling coach at West Port High School in 2017 after administrators learned he’d shared a hotel room with a female student athlete during a tournament.
Following an interview, Farris was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail.
“Due to statements made during his interview and his previous behavior, detectives believe Farris may have additional victims,” the statement read, in part. “Anyone who may have had a similar encounter is urged to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 732-9111.”