Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies arrested a teacher after they learned he gave a ride to a minor and had sex with the victim. In June 2024, Deputies responded to the Marathon Gas Station at 1302 North Parsons Ave. after they said Vernon White Jr., who was 31 at the time, gave a ride to a 17-year-old. Once in the car, they performed sexual acts with each other, according to officials. White told detectives he gave the victim a ride but denied any sexual activity happening. But, DNA testing confirmed otherwise. Deputies arrested White on Thursday and charged him with two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and lewd or lascivious touching of a minor. White taught at Idea Hope Charter School since 2021, but the victim was not a student there. Deputies said he had no disciplinary history at the school. "A teacher is supposed to be a trusted community member who looks out for the well-being of children. This crime is a reprehensible betrayal of someone in a position of authority," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Our detectives conducted a thorough investigation to bring this individual to justice." Deputies are continuing to investigate the incident.