Polk County, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of 36-year-old Donald Mitchell of Lakeland for sexual offenses against a student by an authority figure.

According to PCSO, a 19-year-old female reported via social media on December 10 that she had been engaged in a sexual relationship with Mitchell from October 2023 when she was a Kathleen High School Student to November 2024 after her graduation.

PCSO says Mitchell denied there was any sexual component to their relationship until after the student had graduated. He allegedly admitted to texting her often. Detectives say Mitchell admitted to deleting a lot of text messages between himself and the victim because he did not want his wife to find them.

Authorities allege that multiple messages were found. On Valentine’s Day, a message from Mitchell allegedly read, “I’m here to grow and groom you into what [I] know you’re capable of being!”

In another, Mitchell allegedly admitted, “im taking a huge risk”. Authorities allege that Mitchell used his position of authority over the victim inappropriately. Mitchell was arrested on December 18, 2024.

PCSO says Mitchell was formerly employed as a teacher at Kathleen High School. He is now employed as a Community Outreach Facilitator for the Polk County School Board. Mitchell has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation by the school board.