A former police officer with Duval County Public Schools is currently facing serious allegations after reportedly engaging with a fake Instagram account operated by high school students. The incident has led to multiple charges, according to local authorities.
In Jacksonville, Florida, Alexander Capasso, aged 26, has been charged with soliciting or engaging in a romantic relationship with a student, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and tampering with evidence. These charges arise from an investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the school district.
This unusual case unfolded in early March when three female students from a high school decided to create a fictitious Instagram account. They impersonated “Courtney,” an 18-year-old student from Mandarin High School, initially to monitor an ex-boyfriend’s activities online. The profile featured a photo of an unidentified girl smoking a cigarette.
On February 26, Capasso, who served as a school resource officer, began messaging the account. The conversation quickly turned personal, with Capasso discussing photography, his job, and even suggesting they meet up over the weekend, according to the arrest report.
Feeling uncomfortable with the interaction, the students blocked Capasso and reported the incident, which led to them being summoned to the dean’s office the following day. The investigation continues as authorities look into the full extent of the allegations.
The students found the conversation inappropriate, blocked him and were called to the dean’s office the next day.
Capasso learned of the meeting, pulled the girls from class and demanded their phones, according to investigators.
He allegedly went through their private photos, deleted screenshots of the chats and permanently erased files from the “recently deleted” folder.
He told them “lie about it” and “don’t tell anyone,” leaving the students feeling intimidated by his authority, the report states.
“They’re teenagers,” First Coast News crime and safety expert Mark Baughman said. “So here they are listening to an officer who they’ve seen at school in uniform that’s supposed to be enforcing Florida state statute, safeguarding students in the school, doing what the school administration was working as a sworn police officer to serve and protect. He turned it into … a hunting ground for young female students.”
The Duval County school district emailed parents at Atlantic Coast, Fletcher and Mandarin high schools March 27, noting Capasso had worked those campuses on an interim basis before resigning on March 2 amid the investigation.
Further investigation uncovered Capasso had been messaging a real 18-year-old female student since at least November via Instagram and text, including romantic conversations and an invitation to a bar, records show. He also visited her at her job at a gas station.
“He’s in a professional position of authority, and they’re students,” Baughman said. “He’s supposed to be looking out for their well-being while they’re at school and not have any other contact or relationship with them other than that.”
Capasso told the student to delete messages and got “very granular and specific” about what to erase “so it wouldn’t support the charge that he probably saw coming,” Baughman added.
During questioning, Capasso initially denied improper contact but later admitted some details, calling messages “satire” while agreeing the conduct seemed inappropriate, the report states.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office did not release Capasso’s mugshot, citing a Florida public records exemption law. Capasso was released from Duval County Jail. His next court date is April 16. JSO says while the investigation continues, if anyone has any tips, contact 904-630-0500.
First Coast News also contacted Capasso, but received no response.
