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Diplomat Middle School teacher faces additional charges

By Staff | Apr 13, 2023

Joseph Michael Reynolds

A Diplomat Middle School teacher arrested this week after he allegedly sent pictures of his genitalia to a student is now facing additional charges after a police review of his cell phone.

Joseph Michael Reynolds, 30, of Cape Coral, was charged with transmission of material harmful to a minor first on April 7, and on Wednesday, was arrested again at his home “as a result of a forensic download of his cell phone, regarding that investigation as new information was developed,” Cape Coral Police Department officials said.

Reynolds faces additional charges of: penalties relating to reporting of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect; lewd or lascivious battery; obscene communication, use computer to seduce, solicit, lure child; obscenity, prohibition of certain acts in connection with obscene, lewd, etc, materials; and possess, control, view child pornography.

Officers from the CCPD initially contacted Reynolds on April 7 after they gained information that he had sent the images, a release from CCPD states.

“The Cape Coral Police Department’s Special Victim’s Unit was informed by a School Resource Officer of the possible inappropriate relationship between Mr. Reynolds and one of his students,” the release states. “This investigation revealed that Mr. Reynolds provided the student with his phone number to correspond through text, eventually leading to him sending the photo.”

According to the Diplomat Middle School website, Reynolds teaches social studies. He was hired by the district on Oct. 25, 2016.

Parents received notice from the School District of Lee County after both arrests as is required by state statute. Each listed the charges.

The notice sent Thursday after the second arrest reads:

“Good Morning Wildcats-

“You are receiving this important message in compliance with Florida Statute 1012.797, Parental Notification of Arrest of Employees. I must inform you that Mr. Joseph Reynolds, Teacher at Diplomat Middle School was arrested again on 04/12/2023 for the following:

Penalties Relating to Reporting of Child Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect

Computer Pornography; Prohibited Computer Usage; Traveling to Meet Minor

Prohibition of Certain Acts in Connection with Obscene, Lewd, etc., Materials

Lewd or Lascivious Offenses Committed Upon or In the Presence of Persons Less Than 16 Years of Age

Sexual Performance by a Child; Child Pornography

Sexual Offenses Against Students by Authority Figures

Please know that The School District of Lee County and law enforcement will handle this matter most appropriately.

Thank you.”

Reynolds was transported to Lee County Jail following his second arrest where he remained in custody early Thursday afternoon. Bond has been set at $95,000.

He has been suspended from his duties with the district, which is conducting an administrative investigation as well.

“We do not tolerate this kind of alleged behavior and the teacher involved is suspended with pay pending the outcome of our investigation,” district officials said via email in response to a request for comment on the teacher’s status after the first arrest.