Police arrested a Florida teacher after he was allegedly found naked in an elementary school classroom on Thanksgiving Day.
Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD) officers responded Nov. 28 to a call at Windmill Point Elementary School after an alarm was triggered, indicating a burglary, according to WPBF 25 News. Responders left the scene after finding no signs of a break-in but were later called back to the scene after the sheriff’s deputy, who lives on campus, called for help. Joe Urias, a teacher at Somerset College Preparatory Academy, was allegedly found naked inside the school, the outlet reported.
Police said they discovered multiple items in the classroom where Urias was allegedly found, including a laptop, food, clothes, marijuana and sex toys. Police photos published by the outlet appear to show a makeshift bed inside the classroom. (RELATED: Police Arrest Substitute Teacher After Students Allegedly Walk In On Him Masturbating).
“The deputy later saw a male, a nude male inside through the window inside the school,” PSLPD Police Chief Leo Niemczyk told the outlet. “The male saw a deputy, quickly got dressed and exited the school. The deputy tried to apprehend him, and at that point, the now clothed, formerly nude male committed battery on that deputy.”
Teacher caught naked in classroom with sex toys and drugs, Port St. Lucie police say. https://t.co/HkuHOJh4uH pic.twitter.com/rv9UvjYtd3
— FoxNashville (@FOXNashville) December 4, 2024
Niemczyk said Urias punched the deputy in the face during the encounter. The teacher reportedly told police he was able to get into the school through an unlocked window. Officers are unsure how long Urias was allegedly staying inside the elementary classroom, police said.
“He said he was homeless and perhaps he was planning to spend the holiday weekend there. I don’t, but we don’t know how long he was in there,” the police chief said.
The Somerset College Preparatory Academy addressed the allegations on Facebook, saying Urias was “formerly employed at our school.”
“As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe environment, all prospective employees at our school undergo thorough background checks and screening conducted by the local school district. We do not hire anyone without this clearance,” a spokesperson wrote. “We understand that this news may be concerning, and we are here to support our families during this time.”
The school where Urias worked is over eight miles from the elementary school where he was allegedly found.
The 34-year-old was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, battery on an officer, burglary and marijuana possession, St. Lucie County Jail’s inmate records show. He is being held on a $31,000 bond.
The PSLPD did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
