Lem Anthony McKinney {BSO}
A social science teacher at J.P. Taravella High School has been arrested after authorities said he solicited sexual activity from a 16-year-old student and sent her inappropriate text messages.
Lem Anthony McKinney II, 40, was taken into custody at the Coral Springs school Tuesday morning after investigators learned he had spent months allegedly grooming the girl in his African American History class, according to an arrest affidavit.
According to the document filed by Coral Springs Police, McKinney used his position of authority to gain the victim’s trust and initiate a romantic relationship with her, engaging in conversations of an intimate and sexual nature.
The victim provided a sworn statement to police on Feb. 12, 2025, revealing that McKinney had been speaking and texting with her about his personal romantic and sexual experiences since the start of the 2024 school year, the affidavit states.
The teen described McKinney as “trustworthy” and said he made her feel comfortable sharing personal details about her life. Over a six-month period, the relationship escalated, and McKinney allegedly solicited the student for inappropriate interactions, according to police.
The victim said she and McKinney would frequently remain in his classroom after school, waiting for the hallways to clear before walking out together to continue their conversations, the affidavit states.
On Feb. 10, 2025, McKinney allegedly found the victim on social media and followed her account. That evening, he messaged her and vowed their texts would remain private, stating, “As long as these messages are not seen,” police said.
The teacher further tried to reassure her by saying, “Remember, this ain’t new to me,” according to investigators.
In his messages to the teen, McKinney referenced her appearance and made suggestive remarks about his marital issues, police said. He indicated a willingness to engage in sexual activity with the child, stating, “Sometimes bad is good” and “I’m a pleaser … I’m down to do whatever you want, however you want,” the affidavit states.
One of his other messages read: “You have deep eyes and I can see myself getting lost in them. That’s why I don’t look at you for long when I do….. that’s one and the other which I probably shouldn’t tell you is that your lip gloss be popping and had me dreaming of kissing you,” according to the document.
After reviewing the evidence, authorities arrested McKinney on a charge of an authority figure soliciting or engaging in sexual conduct with a student.
McKinney was booked into the Broward County Main Jail. Records show he was being held on a $25,000 bond Wednesday.
According to media reports, Broward County Public School administrators have reassigned McKinney away from the school and away from students.
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