TARPON SPRINGS, Fla — A former teacher at Tarpon Springs High School was arrested for having an inappropriate relationship with a student, according to officials.
Tarpon Springs Police Department said they received a tip on July 18 about James Collins, 39, possibly having an inappropriate relationship with an underage student at Tarpon Springs High School.
Collins was a Math teacher at the school. Police said the student he is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with was under 16.
He is charged with one count of computer pornography, prohibited computer usage and traveling to meet a minor, one count of interference with child custody, one count of lewd and lascivious battery, one count of lewd and lascivious molestation, one count of offense against students by an authority figure and one count of tampering with physical evidence.
Police believe there might be more victims. According to Pinellas County Schools, Collins had been a teacher at the school since August 2023. He resigned from his position today (July 19). He had previously worked for Pasco schools.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident or other incidents involving Collins to contact Detective Justin Smith at 727-937-6151.
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ABC Action News Mugshot Policy
When a mugshot is used
If the person is still on the loose and a potential threat to the community; if there is a good chance that showing the suspect would help identify additional victims or otherwise protect the public from a serious threat or if the crime or the suspect is of such a significant note that seeing them in a mugshot is in the greater public interest.
Using previous mugshots
Only if the story is specifically talking about that previous crime
We do not show mugshots of victims
This policy started in early 2021
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