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An employee of Hernando County Schools has been taken into custody on serious charges, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, authorities announced on Thursday.
The incident, according to Tampa Police, unfolded on February 4th at the Eagles Point at Tampa Palms Apartments, located on North 46th Street in Tampa.
Police have arrested four individuals in connection with the crime. Arianna Del Valle, 18, and Jasmine Randazzo, 19, face charges of armed robbery and kidnapping. Meanwhile, Christion Williams, 24, and Lyndell Hudson II, 26, are being charged with three counts each of armed robbery and armed kidnapping, along with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Investigations reveal that the accused were familiar with the victims. The four suspects allegedly assaulted three young men, held them at gunpoint, and robbed them of their possessions before ordering them to leave the scene.
The Hernando County School District has confirmed that Lyndell Hudson II is employed as a paraprofessional at both Endeavor and Discovery Academy.
“When you think about it, it’s kind of scary to know that there’s individuals that would bring that around our kids,” said an anonymous parent.
Endeavor and Discovery Academy shares a campus with Central High School, where 8 On Your Side spoke with parents about the arrest.
According to its website, the academy serves students who are at-risk, over age, in danger of not graduating, or who are behind in school.
A post on the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page about Hudson’s arrest brought on comments from people who said Hudson was a ‘big protector of kids at school and on the football field’, and this arrest was a ‘shock to everyone who knows him’.
“Sometimes even with screenings you just don’t know you know who you have around so its unfortunate,” said a parent.
The school district sent a statement saying: “Mr. Hudson began employment with us starting Aug. 19 2025 at Endeavor. This morning, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office made an off-campus arrest of Lyndell G. Hudson II an Endeavor/Discovery Academy Para-Professional for multiple charges including armed robbery and kidnapping in Hillsborough County. The employee has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation and will not return to campus. The Hernando County School District takes matters of this nature seriously and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct. The actions of this individual are not a reflection of our organization or the countless dedicated employees who serve our students.”
“My daughter was so close to somebody like that is an eye opener and makes you think like how close bad people could be to your kids,” said a parent.
Tampa police said this is an active and open investigation.