PASCO COUNTY, Fla. (10 Tampa Bay) — A Pasco County elementary school teacher has been arrested on multiple charges of possessing child pornography, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Joseph Watson, a music teacher at Oakstead Elementary School, was taken into custody following an investigation led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.
Watson, who has more than 25 years of teaching experience with elementary and middle school students in Florida, is also known for his involvement in a local church choir and in the church’s summer youth program.
Attorney General Uthmeier expressed outrage at Watson’s actions, stating, “It’s hard to find a more depraved example of someone who betrayed the local community’s trust than Mr. Watson. My prosecutors will bring down the full weight of the law on this predator.”
Pasco County School Board member Jessica Wright clarified that the charges are unrelated to Watson’s role within the school system. She added that law enforcement acted immediately to ensure that Watson no longer had any contact with students.
The FDLE is expected to provide further details during a news conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday, which will be streamed online by 10 Tampa Bay.
