On July 18, 2024 the Tarpon Springs Police Department was made aware of a possible inappropriate relationship between a Pinellas County Schools student and a math teacher at Tarpon Springs High School.
The Tarpon Springs Police Department detective division immediately began to investigate the allegations, where it was discovered that the teacher, later identified as James Collins, was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old female student.
After conducting an intensive investigation, detectives of the Tarpon Springs Police Department arrested James Collins on the following charges:
(1) Ct. Computer Pornography, Prohibited Computer Usage. Traveling to Meet a Minor.
(1) Ct. Interference with Child Custody
(1) Ct. Lewd and Lascivious Battery
(1) Ct. Lewd and Lascivious Molestation
(1) Ct. Offense Against Students by an Authority Figure
(1) Ct. Tampering with Physical Evidence
(1) Ct. Traveling to Meet a Minor
James Collins has been a teacher at Tarpon Springs High School over the past year. Prior to working at Tarpon Springs High School, he was a teacher in Pasco County.
The Tarpon Springs Police Department requests anyone with information regarding this incident or other incidents involving this teacher to contact Detective Justin Smith at 727-937-6151.
No further information is being released at this time.