A groundskeeper at Jay High School in Florida has been arrested and charged with a sex offense related to inappropriate messages sent to a 15-year-old student. Kevin Ross Dunning, 52, was taken into custody on Monday by deputies from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office.
The arrest follows an investigation that began on September 9, when the student reported receiving uncomfortable private messages from Dunning on Facebook. The Santa Rosa County School District confirmed that Dunning, a contracted employee, was immediately terminated that same day.
Key Takeaways
- Kevin Ross Dunning, 52, a contracted groundskeeper, was arrested on Monday.
- He faces a charge of an authority figure soliciting a romantic relationship with a student.
- The charge stems from messages sent to a 15-year-old female student via Facebook Messenger.
- Dunning was fired by his employer, ABM, on September 9, the day the incident was reported.
- He is being held in Santa Rosa County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
Arrest and Formal Charges
Kevin Ross Dunning was charged with one count of "Authority Figure Solicit/Engage in a Romantic Relationship with a Student." This specific charge addresses situations where individuals in positions of trust and authority within an educational setting engage in inappropriate relationships with minors.
Following his arrest, Dunning was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail. A judge set his bond at $25,000. As of the latest reports, he remains in custody.
Understanding the Charge
Florida law makes it illegal for an authority figure, such as a school employee or contractor, to solicit or engage in a romantic or sexual relationship with a student. These laws are designed to protect students, recognizing the inherent power imbalance in such dynamics, regardless of whether the communication is explicitly sexual.
The Investigation Unfolds
The investigation began when deputies were called to Jay High School on September 9. According to the official arrest report, a 15-year-old female student came forward with concerns about messages she had been receiving from Dunning.
The student told investigators that the interaction started after she accepted a Facebook friend request from Dunning. She recognized him as the school's groundskeeper and also remembered him from her time at Jay Elementary, where he had worked as a janitor.
The report notes that their previous interactions were minimal and casual. Deputies wrote that their contact "consisted only of casual 'fist bump' greetings in passing."
Messages Became 'Inappropriate'
After connecting on social media, Dunning allegedly began sending the student private messages through Facebook Messenger. The student stated that she initially replied "out of politeness but later grew uncomfortable as the messages became more personal and inappropriate," according to the report.
Investigators reviewed the message history between Dunning and the student. The contents of these messages formed the primary evidence leading to the charge against him. While the full transcript was not released, the report provided examples that authorities deemed crossed a line.
According to the arrest report, law enforcement determined the messages were sufficient to warrant the charge against Dunning, moving the case from a school-level disciplinary issue to a criminal matter.
Dunning's Account to Deputies
Deputies interviewed Dunning inside an office at the high school regarding the allegations. During the conversation, he provided his perspective on the situation.
The arrest report states that Dunning told deputies he was experiencing a difficult time at home with his wife. He also mentioned that he had known the student since she was in the 6th grade.
In his statement to law enforcement, Dunning described the student as supportive. "Dunning stated she was the only person who was nice to him and helped him pick up garbage," deputies noted in their report. This detail suggests he may have viewed their connection as a friendship.
Dunning admitted to communicating with the girl, but claimed it was not in a sexual manner.
Despite his denial of sexual intent, deputies concluded that the nature of the messages, combined with his position of authority and the student's age, met the criteria for the criminal charge.
Immediate Action by Employer and School District
The Santa Rosa County School District acted swiftly once the report was made. In a statement provided to local news outlet WEAR News, the district clarified Dunning's employment status and the timeline of his termination.
Dunning was not a direct employee of the school district. He was employed by ABM, a company that provides contracted facility services, including janitorial and groundskeeping work, to schools and other organizations.
The district confirmed that ABM was notified of the incident on September 9. In response, the company fired Dunning on the very same day. This action ensured he no longer had access to school grounds or students while the criminal investigation proceeded.
This rapid response highlights the zero-tolerance policies that school districts and their contractors often have in place to protect student safety and well-being. The separation of employment occurred well before the formal arrest was made, based on the initial report.