SJR State College professor, Clay County school board candidate appears in court for sex crime

ORANGE PARK, Fla. —

Dr. Aaron Knowles, a professor at St. Johns River State College and a former Clay County school board candidate, appeared in court for his first appearance Wednesday.

The 46-year-old faces two counts of using an electronic device to lure a child in an unlawful sex act.

Action News Jax told you when Knowles was arrested Tuesday.

Knowles is being held on a bond of more than $50,000, and the judge ordered no contact with minors and no access to the internet.

Knowles worked at St. Johns River State College for at least five years as an organizational management instructor. He was awarded the 2018 Distinguished New Faculty Award, according to the college’s website.

In a statement, SJR State College tells Action News Jax, “Mr. Knowles has been suspended pending further investigation. We have no further comment at this time.”

The 46-year-old also ran for school board in the summer of 2020.

According to a Facebook page for Knowles’s campaign, he was an official for both high school football and baseball in Northeast Florida over the past 20 years. According to the campaign, he also worked more than 13 State Championship contests in those sports and served on the FHSAA rules, evaluations and mechanics committees.

Action News Jax reached out to the FHSAA for a statement and has not heard back.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said it is not aware of any additional victims, but said “We encourage anyone with further information regarding potential illegal activities by Mr. Knowles to come forward.”

The father of three was defeated in the election. He’s expected back in court January 4 at 9 a.m.

Cox Media Group