Teacher’s assistant charged with sexual activity with a minor, police say

OCALA, Fla. — Ocala police arrested 31-year-old Nick Elder on Friday for having unlawful sex with a minor. Elder works as a teacher’s assistant/paraprofessional at Vanguard High School in Ocala. The investigation began after the Department of Children and Families received an anonymous complaint regarding Elder and his relationship with two minors.

According to police reports, the victim said she met Elder on Tinder and started talking to him there. The victim told police she would fight with her mother, and Elder would always offer that she could stay with him.

Around June of this year, the victim told police after a big argument with her mother she moved out of her mother’s house and moved in with Elder.

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According to police reports, the two lived in a one-bedroom apartment sharing a room and a bed. The victim also told police that the relationship became sexual, but that she didn’t it want it to be. The victim states that Elder didn’t force her to have sex but she only did because he kept asking and she felt she had no other choice.

Elder also gave the victim marijuana and alcohol on multiple occasions, police said.

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The victim also told police that she believes Elder was involved with other girls but did not know their names. According to police, the victim gave a friend Elder’s contact number and she believes they started talking at some point. The victim also told police she never sent nude photos to Elder, but believes that other girls may have.

According to police reports, Elder admitted to being in a relationship and having sexual relations with the victim. He also told police that the he knew the victim was only 17 years-old before she moved in with him.

Police searched Elder’s phone and found multiple nude photos and videos of what appeared to be young girls. Elder told police that the photos and video were his friends and that they were all of age. In some of the pictures, the girl’s faces were covered by emojis. Police collected Elder’s phone as evidence.

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Elder was arrested and is charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

Elder is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

If you have any information regarding this case, please call Ocala Police.

Cox Media Group