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James Tellis, 27, was employed with IDEA Public Schools, which manages charter schools in Jacksonville, at the time of his arrest on Friday.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A now-former Jacksonville charter school employee is facing multiple felony charges after a victim reported they were sexually assaulted years prior, according to an arrest report by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators arrested James Tellis, 27, Friday on an outstanding arrest warrant on charges including first-degree felony sexual battery and unlawful use of a two-way device, the report states.
His arrest report states that the sexual battery happened on March 20 in 2023 or 2024.Â
The report states that Tellis used Instagram to communicate with the minor and “bribed” them with food and other means before the assault occurred.
After the assault, which is redacted from the arrest report, investigators say Tellis sent the victim $45 on Cash App and attempted to talk about their encounter a week later. The report states the victim “did not wish to continue communicating” with Tellis, and did not contact him for more than two years after the assault.
First Coast News learned Tuesday that Tellis was employed with IDEA Jacksonville, which oversees charter schools in Jacksonville, at the time of his arrest.
“On the morning of July 26, IDEA Jacksonville was made aware of the off-campus arrest of an employee in connection with an alleged incident involving a minor,” IDEA Public Schools said in a statement to First Coast News on Tuesday. “The employee was immediately terminated, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement.”
IDEA Public School said “there is no indication” that the incident involves a student from the school, and noted that all IDEA employees undergo thorough state and federal background checks before they are hired.
It’s unclear whether the incident Tellis is accused in took place before he was hired.
“The safety of our students is our highest priority,” the statement added. “Any conduct that compromises safety is unacceptable and will be met with swift action. We remain committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment.”
Tellis is charged with felony sexual battery, soliciting a child using a computer, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and “offenses against students by authority figures,” according to his arrest report.
He remains in the Duval County jail without bond.
