A former Central Florida teacher was recently arrested for having a sexual relationship with a student.
35-year-old Patrick Gingras, formerly a teacher at Taylor Middle High School in Pierson, was arrested on a warrant for sexual conduct with a student by an authority figure. The former Volusia County teacher was arrested for a sexual relationship with the 18-year-old student.
The Central Florida investigation began in February 2024 after school staff reported the possible relationship to the school resource deputy. The student involved initially denied any relationship. However, detectives continued the investigation and obtained cell phone evidence that revealed the truth.
Gingras, who taught high school intensive reading, was escorted off campus during the initial investigation and placed on leave by Volusia County Schools to prevent access to students. The school district opened an internal investigation and did not renew Gingras’ contract at the end of the school year.
According to local law enforcement, an arrest warrant was signed by a judge and Gingras was taken into custody. He was being held in the Volusia County Branch Jail with a bond of $25,000 and several conditions to his release if bail posted, including a GPS monitor, no access to Internet without a court order, and no contact with the student or any witnesses in the case.
