Merritt Island High School cafeteria worker arrested, accused of sending nude pic to student

Ashley Pearce arrested, taken to Brevard County Jail

Ashley Pearce (Brevard County Sheriff's Office)

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A Brevard County school cafeteria worker was arrested Monday on allegations of sending inappropriate photos to a student via social media, officials said.

Ashley Pearce, an assistant cafeteria worker at Merritt Island High School, was arrested on charges of transmission of material harmful to a minor by electronic device or equipment.

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According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Pearce engaged in conversation with a student about social media and later provided the student with her social media handle and told the student to follow her on an app.

The student and Pearce shared private messages, and Pearce sent the student a photograph that showed her unclothed breast, sheriff’s officials said.

The student then blocked the account and the incident was reported to law enforcement, according to authorities.

“At this time, the investigation is still ongoing as search warrants for her social media accounts and electronic devices are being executed by our agents to determine if there are any other potential victims,” Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

Pearce, who was also an after-school child care provider at Andersen Elementary School, was taken into custody and taken to the Brevard County Jail.

Pearce was immediately suspended from both positions by Brevard Public Schools, officials said.

Any parents who believe their child may have had any inappropriate communications with Pearce is asked to call 321-633-8419.


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