NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA, Fla. — A member of the Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District was arrested on Jan. 19 after a sex sting in Nassau County.

Deputies said Harrison “Ted” Clark, of Orange Park, was attempting to meet with who he thought was a 14-year-old boy.

Clark was elected to the district in 2018 and is the son of Clay County school board member Beth Clark. In a statement Friday evening, the Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District said it was “blindsided.”

“The Clay Soil and Water Conservation District is deeply troubled to learn that our former chair, Harrison “Ted” Clark, was recently arrested as part of a sting operation in Nassau County. The District was blindsided by this information several hours after Former Supervisor Clark had emailed his notice of resignation Friday afternoon. Former Supervisor Clark’s actions in no way reflect the code of ethics by which the District operates. We stand ready to assist with any investigational efforts that may be needed of our district.”

According to the arrest report, Clark acknowledged the person he was talking to was 14 and exchanged phone numbers. Clark discussed sex and masturbation with detectives, and several text messages were graphic in nature. The report said he told the person he was 30.

“Hopefully not too old for ya,” he wrote, according to the report.

Clark was charged with traveling to meet and minor, using a computer to solicit children and using a 2-way device to commit a felony.