Terry Parker High School parents told Action News Jax they’re having a hard time processing the arrest of 37-year-old Jordan Schemmel. He served as the International Baccalaureate program coordinator at TPHS.
“It’s horrible, you know?” said Terry Parker High parent Audrah Johnson. “You send them there thinking that they’re safe.”
Duval County Public Schools spokesperson Laureen Ricks said in a statement:
“We are aware that the U.S. Attorney has recently released news regarding one of our teachers. In addition to maintaining the well-being of our students, one of our highest priorities in situations like this is to communicate with parents so that they can have the best information possible. While an active investigation limits what we can address, we were able to provide parents and guardians the communication below, which went out through our call system. While we are unable to provide additional information, we can confirm that this individual will be removed from all student contact should he be released, pending the outcome of our internal investigation.”
In an attempt to reach Schemmel’s friends and family for comment, Action News Jax reporter Ryan Nelson went to his listed address.
There, we spoke to a woman who denied our request for interview. While walking into his home, she said she wasn’t Schemmel’s relative and wasn’t part of the investigation.
The criminal complaint states Schemmel spoke to an undercover FBI agent about a sexual interest in children under the user name “Profsunrise15.” Prosecutors say he sent video showing a man sexually assaulting a young child.
We’re told agents seized computer media and at least one Apple iPhone. Investigators say they found images and videos depicting child pornography.
Prosecutors also say Schemmel stated he had used the Kik messaging app with the username Profsunrise15 to send pornographic videos of child and had previously tried to stop watching the material.
“I don’t think it’s ever hit so close to home,” said Johnson.
Terry Parker High School Principal Megan Pardue sent a recording out to parents tonight saying in part: “…I am so disappointed to inform you that we have been notified by the FBI that one of our teachers, Mr. Jordan Schemmel, was taken into their custody on charges of distributing child pornography. Information about the charges he is facing was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the middle district of Florida. He remains in federal custody. Should he be released from custody, he will be immediately removed from the classroom and not have further contact with students pending the outcome of an internal investigation…”
Cox Media Group
