Volusia County Teacher Arrested for Relationship with Student

A now-former teacher at Taylor Middle High School in Pierson was arrested on Wednesday for an alleged sexual relationship he had with a student. 35-year-old Patrick Gingras, a Pierson resident, is accused of abusing his position of authority in a relationship with an 18-year-old student at his school. He taught high school intensive reading at the school. The investigation by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office that led to Gingras’ arrest dates back almost a full year. According to a report issued by the VSO, other staff members at the school reported to a school resource deputy that they believed an inapppopriate relationship might be occurring. The student reportedly initially told investigators that there was no relationship. Further investigation into the situation included the review of cell phones between the two, reportedly providing further evidence of an inappropriate and illegal relationship. The Volusia County school district placed Gingras on leave once it became clear that law enforcement was moving forward with their investigation, and so his contact with students was stopped pending further action. After the school district conducted their own internal investigation, they opted not to renew Gingras’ contract at the conclusion of the previous school year. Gingras was charged with an offense against students by an authority figure and arrested on Wednesday with a $25,000 bond. As of Thursday morning, he remains in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail. If Gingras were to post his bond, he’d be released only on the condition that he wear a GPS monitor, have no access to the internet without a court order allowing him to do so, and have no contact with the student or with any of the case’s witnesses, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Gingras has no prior criminal bookings on record in the Volusia County Branch Jail.