TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A private school teacher and coach in Lakeland was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Richard Alcalade, 26, was arrested Tuesday, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).
‘The people of Florida aren’t stupid’: Court pushes back on arguments against abortion amendment
Alcalde was hired as teacher and boys’ soccer coach at Star Athletes Academy, located at 3151 Hardin Combee Road in Lakeland, in August 2023. His employment has been terminated, according to the sheriff’s office and a school administrator on campus.
The school administrator declined to comment further on the allegations.
The teacher was accused of sexually battering a 17-year-old girl on two occasions. In a media briefing Wednesday, Sheriff Grady Judd said the girl was not his student, but they met at the school.
The girl’s mother contacted PCSO on Tuesday after she found a flirtatious text message exchange on her daughter’s phone. She checked the cellphone after picking up her daughter at a Dollar General store in Haines City.