Gregg Gafford, 42, stands accused of crimes allegedly committed during his tenure at St. Matthew’s Catholic School in 2023 and Normandy Village Elementary in 2011.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A former music educator from multiple Duval County schools has been apprehended on charges related to child sexual offenses, as reported by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday.
According to jail records, Gregg Gafford was taken into custody last Friday concerning two distinct incidents of sexual offenses. He is facing charges of lewd and lascivious molestation in both cases.
According to JSO, in 2023, Gafford was working at St. Matthew’s Catholic School, located on Blanding Boulevard, when a child reported that he groped them during an after-school club.
JSO said in a press release its detectives also discovered that another student accused Gafford of sexual abuse back in 2011, while he was teaching at Normandy Village Elementary.
On Friday, officers located and arrested Gafford on two outstanding warrants, according to JSO.
“Children are our most precious resource, and protecting them is our top priority,” JSO said in its release. “Anyone who violates their safety will face the full weight of the law.”
JSO said detectives are investigating whether Gafford is accused of more sex crimes against other students. JSO is asking anyone with information to call them at 904-630-0500.
In Florida, anyone who knows or reasonably suspects that a child or vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited is legally required to report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline, JSO said. The hotline number is 1-800-962-2873.
Gafford has been given a bond of $1,000,006, jail records also show. His arraignment is set for Aug. 4.
