Former St. Johns County teacher sentenced to probation for sending lewd photos to student

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A former St. Johns County teacher pleaded no contest to the three charges of sending harmful materials to a minor and was sentenced to three years probation.

Kyle Spitzer was a chemistry teacher at St. Augustine High School when he was charged with multiple counts of transmitting material harmful to minors by an electronic device in May.

According to an affidavit from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Spitzer met a 13-year-old victim through a family member who was his former student. Prosecutors alleged the two communicated via Snapchat between Oct. 2022 and Dec. 2022.

“The victim stated the conversation was harmless in the beginning but became odd when the school shut down for Hurricane Nicole,” the report states.

The affidavit says Spitzer sent the student multiple lewd photos to the student via Snapchat, including images that show Spitzer’s exposed genitals.

The victim eventually disclosed to a person who is a mandatory reporter by law, that she had received nude photos from Spitzer. It prompted the mandatory reporter to alert the Department of Children and Families and the school’s administration.

The affidavit said Spitzer routinely gave students nicotine vaporizers to use during school, making him popular among students, and that he invited students over to his home to just “hang out” on multiple occasions.

Spitzer was charged with three counts of transmission of harmful materials to minors and one count of unlawful use of an electronic device.

According to the St. Johns County School District, Spitzer has not been in contact with students since December, when the investigation was launched. Spitzer was informed that he will not be reappointed to his position at St. Augustine High School when his current contract ends.

Spitzer was sentenced to three years probation followed by two years of sex offender probation. He was also ordered to surrender his teaching license and can not have contact with minors without the written consent of their parents or guardians.