Palmetto High School educator fired for sexual conduct toward children

A Collier County Public Schools employee was fired and banned from school grounds two weeks ago after allegations of sexual misconduct against five students came to light.

Rey Guzman, 49, was a JROTC instructor at Palmetto Ridge High School until April 25. He had worked at the school for less than a year.

On April 25, the Collier County School District and Sheriff’s Office investigated Guzman for making inappropriate sexual comments toward several students and asking her to go on a date with at least one.

The Collier County Public School District provided copies of records relating to the investigation into Guzman’s conduct and other records, as did the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

Students told district staff and law enforcement that Guzman had been inappropriate with them since September, touching them on the shoulders or thighs and speaking explicitly to them about their bodies or sex lives, records show.

According to student reports, Guzman also frequently discussed his sex life.

Collier County Sheriff’s Office media representative Adam Fisher said the office has completed its investigation and Guzman will not be prosecuted.

Guzman declined to speak with The News-Press/Naples Daily News and referred a reporter to the Fort Myers criminal defense law firm Cantor & Cantor for comment on his conduct and firing. The lawyer did not immediately respond.

One girl said in a handwritten statement that Guzman appeared to jokingly tell her she had “no (behind)” and told her she needed to “fix three things: the face, the body and the way you walk.” Guzman bragged about his sexual experiences, citing many partners.

This student further explained that Guzman invited her out for a drink but told her she couldn’t tell anyone because “people would find it wrong and weird” so she should “shut up.”

A second girl described common verbal sexual harassment in her handwritten statement: overly frank comments about the student’s potential sex life or sex toys. She said he told her in Spanish in front of others that she needed to improve her sit-ups if she wanted to have sex.

Another time, she said, he asked her to bring him a pen and when she did, he responded with an obscene remark.

She said he often commented on the smell of other students or whispered comments about their bodies in their ears.

A third student told investigators that Guzmán would only close the door to his office if he had female students with him.

A fourth said Guzman sometimes came up behind her and massaged her neck and shoulders. She added that Guzman also asked her out, and when he found out she turned 18, he told her she was “legal now.” This comment was confirmed by another student. Both said they found it sexual in nature.

A fifth said Guzman told her another student would be good in bed because she was “crazy.” She was also frequently subjected to inappropriate caresses from Guzman on her hair, back and legs. At one point, she told investigators, Guzman’s hand came very close to her crotch, and at one point he actually touched her butt – but she wasn’t sure whether it was an accident or not.

One student said it took a long time for her to realize what Guzman was doing.

“I didn’t see anything wrong until other (students) started telling me they felt the same way I did,” she wrote in her statement. “I’m a very open-minded person who loves to talk to everyone and be friends with everyone…so I didn’t think the inappropriate jokes and touching were (that) bad.” Until I realized that what First Sergeant Guzman It was clear to me that what I did was wrong.”

As a result of the April 24 investigation, Guzman was summarily fired and banned from the property. The district also placed his name on the Florida Department of Education’s disqualification list, which prohibits him from applying to or working at any public school or private schools that participate in state scholarship programs. It is a felony of the third degree if he knowingly violates this prohibition.

The News-Press/Naples Daily News examined Guzman’s personnel file as well as investigative documents provided by the county and law enforcement.

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