Army Reservist Arrested Twice for Alleged Inappropriate Relationships with Students While Substituting in Florida Schools
An Army Reserve Master Sergeant, Joseph Antoine Prevatte, 39, was arrested twice in November 2024 for alleged inappropriate relationships with high school students while working as a substitute teacher in Florida. Prevatte, an intelligence non-commissioned officer with the Army Reserve, faces multiple charges stemming from his interactions with students during his time substituting in Hillsborough and Manatee counties.
Prevatte, who has served in the Army Reserve since 2007 and is currently assigned to a Reserve detachment with Special Operations Command, allegedly sent inappropriate messages to high school students and, in one case, engaged in sexual activity with a student.
The first arrest occurred after Prevatte reportedly had sexual interactions with a student at Lennard High School in Ruskin, Florida, between October 1 and 3, 2024. During this time, he allegedly sent explicit messages to the student, which led to charges of lewd or lascivious battery and harmful explicit communication to a minor. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Prevatte on November 18, 2024, and he remains incarcerated at the Falkenburg Road Jail in Tampa.
During the course of the Hillsborough County investigation, authorities discovered similar allegations from Prevatte’s time as a substitute teacher at a high school in Manatee County, nearly 50 miles south. In late October, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from school officials about inappropriate messages being sent by a substitute teacher. Investigators found that Prevatte had been messaging a student for several weeks, including sending an altered image of himself. On November 8, Prevatte was arrested by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and charged with soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct with a student. He was released from the Manatee County Jail on November 12, after posting a $75,000 bond.
Both sheriff’s offices have expressed concern about Prevatte’s actions, with Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister calling the situation “despicable” and praising the diligent work of detectives. He also reassured parents, stating that efforts would be made to hold Prevatte accountable for his alleged crimes. Authorities are encouraging any other potential victims to come forward.
Prevatte’s military service record shows that he has been deployed to the Middle East and Afghanistan, but Reserve officials have confirmed that he was not on duty at the time of the alleged incidents. The Army Reserve has expressed its commitment to addressing the situation appropriately, emphasizing that it takes such matters seriously and will continue to monitor the case.
The arrests have raised concerns over the safety of students in educational environments and the trust placed in substitute teachers. As the investigation continues, both school districts are working to ensure such incidents do not recur, and further inquiries may be launched.
