Former Jacksonville private school teacher arrested, accused of inappropriate relationship

Action News Jax reporter Brittney Verner spoke with former Trinity Christian Academy students and explains their reaction to the arrest. See her live report on Action News Jax on CBS47 and FOX30.

A Jacksonville private school teacher was fired for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

It happened at Trinity Christian Academy on the city’s westside.

Parents first found out about the incident after the school head sent out a letter notifying them.

Friday, Jacksonville Sheriff's deputies arrested 28-year-old Aaron Zuniga for the alleged crime.

Many parents, students and staff members were shocked to learn it was Zuniga facing those allegations.

Johnathan Riffle is a former student at Trinity Christian Academy and he has family members who still work there. He said the incident has, unfortunately, been the topic of discussion.

TRENDING: 

“I think that person shouldn’t have been working at Trinity in the first place but, unfortunately, you never know who you’re hiring and what their intentions are,” Riffle said.

Although it’s been a difficult situation for parents, students and staff to process, some people like Riffle think the school handled it the right way.

“I think it’s on the person personally and I think the school took appropriate action by firing him. It’s inappropriate. I don’t think it should happen anywhere. Unfortunately it’s the world we live in. There are messed up people in the world that have different morals than what are right,” Riffle said.

We’re told Zuniga, who went by Mr. Z, taught a Bible class and was a soccer coach.

Zuniga is now facing charges of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors and for offenses against students by authority figures.

He is being held on a bond that’s more than $100,000 for each of those charges.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Cox Media Group