A Florida middle school teacher has been arrested after authorities said he exchanged inappropriate messages with a former teenage student and admitted to improper communication with the student dating back to 2023.
Christian Schneider, 31, who teaches at Memorial Middle School, was taken into custody Friday on three felony charges following an investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the sheriff’s office, detectives launched a criminal investigation into Schneider on July 28 and determined that he had been sending inappropriate messages to a former teenage student from Franklin Middle School.
Investigators said Schneider told deputies he had been communicating inappropriately with the student since 2023.
Officials have not released the student’s exact age, how the alleged communications came to investigators’ attention, or additional details about the content of the messages.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office booking records show Schneider is charged with two counts of solicitation or possession of child sexual abuse material, both classified as second-degree felonies.
He is also charged with one count of unlawful use of a two-way communications device, which is a third-degree felony.
The booking records list July 3 as the offense date for all three charges.
Schneider was arrested shortly after noon Friday and booked into custody that afternoon, according to jail records.
Each charge carried a $2,500 surety bond, for a combined $7,500. Schneider was released on surety bond at 2:38 a.m. local time Saturday, jail records show.
“Teachers hold a position of trust that comes with enormous responsibility,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.
“When that trust is exploited, it’s not just a crime, it’s a violation of everything our schools are supposed to stand for. Detectives will continue investigating these cases aggressively, and anyone who abuses their position with a child will be held accountable.”
The sheriff’s office identified Schneider as a teacher at Memorial Middle School and the teenager as his former student at Franklin Middle School.
The agency did not provide additional details about Schneider’s connection to Franklin Middle School or when he taught the student.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains active and that additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Hillsborough County school district for information about Schneider’s employment status and for comment on his arrest.
