Deputies Arrest Former Teacher For Having Sex With Student

By  //  July 31, 2012

Possible Other Victims

BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – A former drama teacher at Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School has been arrested for having sex with a student.

Former drama teacher Dennis Turner has been arrested and charged with 126 counts of sexual battery on a minor. (Image courtesy Brevard County Sheriff's Department)

Lt. Tod Goodyear of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said that Dennis Turner of Merritt Island, 56 was arrested for having a sexual relationship with the student while he was employed at Edgewood Jr/Sr High School.

Goodyear said an investigation was initiated  late this past s chool year when Edgewood received information from concerned parents in reference to what was deemed as inappropriate activity by Turner.

Deputies were able to identify a victim.

Turner, who lives at of 2135 Emerald Court on Merritt Island, resigned his position at Edgewood prior to the end of the school year.

He has been charged with 126 counts of sexual battery of a person under 18 years of age while in custodial authority and is currently being held at the Brevard County Jail  with a bond of $4,400,000.

The victim in this case told investigators that she engaged in a three-year sexual relationship with Turner beginning when she was 15.

She said that incidents occasionally occurred during school hours and on school property.

Investigators believe the criminal conduct continued until the victim graduated from the school.

Information gained during this investigation, leads investigators to believe that there may be other children who may have been victimized by Turner and are requesting anyone with information about potential victims to contact the Special Victim’s Unit at 321-633-8419 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).  All calls to CRIMELINE are confidential, and callers can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward for information leading to an arrest.