JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Disciplinary leave has been imposed on a Bartram Trail High School history teacher following his arrest over the weekend in St. Augustine Beach on a felony sex crime charge, as reported by an arrest document acquired by First Coast News on Wednesday.

The arrest document indicates that 29-year-old Christopher Ryan Ford was present near 16th Street on St. Augustine Beach Saturday when he approached young girls swimming.

According to the report, Ford “intentionally” positioned himself near the children, which drew the attention of nearby parents. A mother stated she saw Ford in waist-deep water before he knelt down and partook in a sex act.

Subsequently, police reported that Ford approached another group of underage girls and purposefully stood near one, resulting in the child being “pushed into him” repeatedly by the waves. An adult guardian recognized Ford’s behavior and took steps to distance the children from him, as stated in the report.

Officers who arrived at the scene reported that Ford denied any wrongdoing. Two additional witnesses gave sworn statements about the incident to the police.

Ford is charged with one count of felony lewd and lascivious exhibition on a victim less than 16 years of age.

Following his arrest, Ford received a letter from the St. Johns County School District, informing him of his placement on disciplinary leave with pay starting Monday as a result of the arrest.

Ford has been a history teacher at Bartram Trail High School since 2021. He also served as the boy’s golf coach, a district spokesperson confirmed to First Coast News.

The letter states that the superintendent intends to continue Ford’s leave until the next regular St. Johns County School Board meeting, scheduled for Sept. 9, 2025, where the superintendent plans to recommend that Ford be fired.

Ford has a chance to contest the charges against him, the letter says, and has 15 days from receiving the letter to submit a written request for a hearing.