PALM BAY, Fla. – A Palm Bay Magnet High substitute teacher was arrested Friday after sending a nude photo of himself to a student, according to the police department.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the student reported to a school resource officer that she received a nude photo of 27-year-old Ajani McPherson, who was a substitute teacher.
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The student told the officer that McPherson had messaged her Thursday on Instagram, asking if she had a boyfriend and that he wanted to send her something she couldn’t tell anyone about, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit said the conversation was changed to “vanish” mode on Instagram, which meant any texts or media sent from that point forward would be deleted after it was viewed.
Once the “vanish” mode was on, McPherson sent a nude photo to the student, who said she felt uncomfortable and ignored the message by pretending to go to sleep that night, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Police said the student had used another device to record the image before it was deleted.
The officer then spoke with McPherson, who “eventually admitted” to sending a nude photo.
Brevard County Public Schools shared a statement with News 6 on Wednesday, that said in part:
We are deeply troubled by these accusations and working closely with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation. These actions are a tremendous violation of trust.
Mr. McPherson was not a regular substitute teacher; he hadn’t been at Palm Bay Magnet High for a month when Friday’s arrest happened. Effective immediately he is no longer employed by Brevard Public Schools.
He faces a charge of transmission of harmful material to a minor.