Clearwater Police Arrest Former Dunedin Middle School Teacher On Sex Charges Involving Student
Clearwater Police detectives have arrested a former middle school teacher on charges that he had sex with a student.
Marselia Anthony Smith, age 34 of Clearwater, was charged with multiple counts of lewd and lascivious battery.
The Clearwater Police Department charges relate to what took place at his residence in Clearwater. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office began their investigation since this also occurred at Dunedin Middle School.
He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on Thursday night.
According to Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office detectives, their investigation began on May 31, 2018 after receiving information from the Clearwater Police Department regarding their arrest of 34 year-old Marselia Anthony Smith for two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery.
During the course of their investigation and interview of Smith, Clearwater detectives learned there was a crime committed at Dunedin Middle School, which is within the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction.
Detectives say Smith was a chorus teacher at Dunedin Middle School, but is no longer employed with the school. Smith was a teacher at Dunedin Middle School when the incidents occurred.
The investigation determined that Smith initially began to communicate with the victim through a social networking website.
Smith was not the 14-year-old male victim’s teacher, but is known to Smith through attending the school.
According to detectives, the victim stated Smith engaged in inappropriate sexual activity with him at Dunedin Middle School in February of 2018. The inappropriate activity did not occur during school hours.
Through various investigative techniques, detectives were able to corroborate the victim’s statements.
Detectives attempted to interview Smith at the Pinellas County Jail, but he declined.
In a prior interview with Clearwater detectives, Smith did admit to all charges.
Pinellas Deputies also charged Smith with Lewd or Lascivious Battery.
Detectives are unaware if there are additional victims. Anyone with more information, please call Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Crimes Against Children Unit, Detective A. Weistock at 727-582 6483.