Matthew Dawson Watson is charged with sexual conduct over a computer and offense against a student by an authority figure.
BRADFORD COUNTY, Fla. — Matthew Dawson Watson, a former teacher in Bradford County, voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Monday morning after an arrest warrant had been filed, the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office announced.
The warrant, which was filed on Friday, accuses Watson of engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct online and committing an offense against a student as someone in a position of authority.
The BCSO says the incident happened in Dec. 2024, when Watson was employed as a teacher at Bradford Middle School.
Police reported that a student brought the situation to a school employee’s attention on February 12, 2025. Following this report, the school district placed Watson on administrative leave.
Prior to his arrest, Watson resigned. He is currently being held at the Bradford County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
First Coast News has reached out to Bradford County School District and we are waiting for a response.
