Former Oakleaf coach arrested for lewd behavior of “many” students

Posted 8/24/23

OAKLEAF – An investigation by the Clay County District Schools Police Department and Clay County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of a former teacher and weightlifting coach at Oakleaf High. …

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Former Oakleaf coach arrested for lewd behavior of “many” students

Posted Thursday, August 24, 2023 12:00 pm

OAKLEAF – An investigation by the Clay County District Schools Police Department and Clay County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of a former teacher and weightlifting coach at Oakleaf High.

According to the affidavit for an arrest warrant, Benjamin Davis White, 40, of Jacksonville, was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior toward girls after several, all between 15 and 17, accused him of inappropriate text messages and touching “many” between Nov. 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022.

In the affidavit, one of the victims told a School Resource Officer she received “explicit” text messages from White on Aug. 20, 2021. White left the Clay County District for a job at Pedro Menendez High in St. Augustine this year.

White was arrested on Aug. 17. His bond was set at $100,003, and his next court appearance is Sept. 26.