WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A Florida elementary school teacher is charged with allegations that he asked to have sex with a 2-year-old online and traveled to meet the child.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that Xavier Donte Alexander, 28, was arrested Thursday on charges of having sex with a minor and traveling to meet a minor for sex. Alexander is a fourth grade teacher at Grove Park Elementary School in Palm Beach Gardens and has also been advertised as a babysitter on several websites.
The sheriff’s office and clerk did not immediately release further information about the charges. Alexander was ordered on $ 1 million bail during Friday’s court hearing. He is represented by the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office, which did not immediately respond to an email asking for comment.
The Palm Beach County School District has issued a statement saying it is “shocked and appalled” by the allegations and that it is cooperating with law enforcement. The district said Alexander has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation and that none of Alexander’s alleged crimes occurred at school. It said it notified parents and families about support services.
If convicted of both charges, Alexander could face 20 years in prison.