JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A former music teacher for several Duval County schools has been arrested on child sex crime charges, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday.

Gregg Gafford, 42, was arrested on Friday in connection to two separate sex crimes cases, jail records show. He faces a lewd and lascivious molestation charge in each case.

According to JSO, in 2023, Gafford was working at St. Matthew’s Catholic School, located on Blanding Boulevard, when a child reported that he groped them during an after-school club.

JSO said in a press release its detectives also discovered that another student accused Gafford of sexual abuse back in 2011, while he was teaching at Normandy Village Elementary.

On Friday, officers located and arrested Gafford on two outstanding warrants, according to JSO.

“Children are our most precious resource, and protecting them is our top priority,” JSO said in its release. “Anyone who violates their safety will face the full weight of the law.”

JSO said detectives are investigating whether Gafford is accused of more sex crimes against other students. JSO is asking anyone with information to call them at 904-630-0500.

In Florida, anyone who knows or reasonably suspects that a child or vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited is legally required to report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline, JSO said. The hotline number is 1-800-962-2873.

Gafford has been given a bond of $1,000,006, jail records also show. His arraignment is set for Aug. 4.