Riverview, Florida: On Thursday, March 24, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of a teacher and coach on charges of child molestation and distribution of pornography to a minor.
According to their news release, the sheriff's office was contacted by Livingstone Academy after the grandmother of a student reported to school administrators that her grandchild had been touched inappropriately.
An investigation led to the arrest of 33-year-old Matthew Hike on five counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and three counts of distribution of obscene material to a minor.
The release did not disclose what Hike taught at Livingstone Academy, a school for children with disabilities, but noted that the child was not a student in his class.
"Those adults placed in positions of trust who prey on our children and victimize them have no place in our community," Sheriff Chad Chronister stated in the release. "This suspect did not have the student in his class, but instead targeted the juvenile in the hallway, gaining the victim's trust and friendship before committing this heinous crime."
Hike is reported to have additionally worked as a football coach at Bloomingdale High School.
Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that there could be more victims and ask anyone with information to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200.
Hike was arrested just after midnight March 24 according to jail records. He was released at 8:20 am on a surety bond.