MIDDLEBURG – A child told a Clay County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer of a suspected engaging act of child abuse by a familiar person or with custodial authority, and that triggered a two-month investigation that led to the arrest of 42-year-old Charles Peter Browne on Wednesday, March 19.

Agents with the Internet Crimes Against Children, with assistance from the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force and the SWAT Unit, served a warrant at a residence on Lazy Acres Road, and the occupants, including Browne, were detained without incident.

Following interviews by detectives and the Department of Children and Family Services, Browne was charged with sexual assault of a child between 12 and 18 years old.

According to the arrest report, the incidents started around July 1, 2024. The child reported to the SRO on Jan. 13.

According to CCSO, Browne worked for the school district but was fired for sending inappropriate social media sexually explicit messages to boys.

On March 17, CCSO searched Browne’s home under the “Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act.”

Browne’s next court appearance is on April 21. Until then, he will remain in the Clay County Jail on a $500,003 bond.

The sheriff’s office asks that anyone with information that might assist in the investigation contact Det. Eva Solis at esolis@claysheriff.com or (904) 673-5892.