Lakeland Substitute Teacher Arrested After Multiple Students Report Inappropriate Conduct

32-year-old Emmanuel Sanchez

By Staff Reporter

iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published March 13th, 2026

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Lakeland Substitute Teacher Arrested After Multiple Students Report Inappropriate Conduct

Lakeland, FL. - The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 32-year-old Emmanuel Sanchez of Lakeland on a charge of lewd and lascivious conduct on a minor, following allegations from students at both Kathleen Middle School and Lake Gibson Middle School.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Sanchez was working as a temporary substitute through Kelly Services and identified himself to students as “Mr. Jeremiah.”

Initial Report at Kathleen Middle School

On February 25, 2026, a 13-year-old girl at Kathleen Middle School reported that the substitute teacher sat beside her with his thigh pressed against hers. She told staff that he then rubbed his hand up her thigh while complimenting her appearance, telling her she was beautiful, had nice eyes, and that he liked her body.

Detectives interviewed seven additional students who were in the classroom at the time. Their statements supported the girl’s account. Investigators later confirmed the substitute was Sanchez.

Additional Allegations at Lake Gibson Middle School

As the investigation continued, detectives received two more disclosures on March 3 from two 12-year-old boys at Lake Gibson Middle School. The boys reported inappropriate touching and comments made by Sanchez.

Two other students told detectives they observed Sanchez visibly aroused while interacting with students in the classroom.

Detectives made contact with Sanchez at his Lakeland home on March 6. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Sanchez described the 13-year-old girl in detail and acknowledged that the incident she reported had occurred, though he denied touching her. He also confirmed that he prefers to be called “Jeremiah,” the name he used in the classroom.

He denied the allegations involving the boys.

Sanchez was arrested and charged with Lewd and Lascivious Conduct on a Minor (F2). The investigation remains active, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to come forward.

Statements From Officials

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd condemned the behavior, saying:

“This is highly inappropriate and disgusting behavior by a substitute teacher. He was clearly using his position as a teacher to prey upon this student. We are reviewing other interactions he has had with other students. We encourage other students to come forward if they have been inappropriately approached by or touched by this man. We want to make sure he is held accountable and that he does not have this kind of access to other children.”

Polk County Public Schools confirmed that Sanchez will no longer be permitted to work in any capacity within the district. Superintendent Fred Heid stated:

“This is disgusting behavior. We expect substitute teachers and all individuals who work with students to protect them and act appropriately. We will always cooperate with law enforcement to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students and keep individuals like this out of our schools. Thank you to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.”

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