A former school resource deputy for Gadsden County High School is facing charges after students came forward saying he had sex with one victim in his office, made “sexual advancements” toward others and offered vape pens in exchange for sex, according to court records.
Deputy Sedale Canidate, 39, was arrested July 10 in Tallahassee by the U.S. Marshals Service. He’s facing multiple felony charges, including sexual battery and lewd and lascivious conduct involving minors.
Victims told detectives several interactions with Canidate “made them feel uncomfortable,” which led them to report it to a teacher, according to court records. Students said he was known for “trying to talk to girls at the school,” and instances of his behavior started as early as two years ago.
One victim explained how he bought snacks for her and told her “she was ‘his now,'” records say. Another victim told detectives he had sex with her in his office and remembers he went to the school nurse’s office for a condom. At least one victim also said he offered vape pens, or a “THC pen that gets you high” in exchange for sex with students.
On a separate occasion, the victim said Canidate insisted she get into his marked car when he spotted her walking home from her summer job. He took her to an abandoned house where she said he made her perform oral sex on him, the victim told police.
The victim “added that he would continuously ask her to have sex with him and send him photos of herself,” court records say.
The investigation has been underway for months. On Nov. 17, a victim was interviewed by the Child Protection Team in Tallahassee, and said this wasn’t the first time a complaint was made to staff as well as the Gadsden Sheriff’s Office – even though victims acknowledged being “scared” to come forward.
When asked about accusations involving underage victims, Canidate told detectives he didn’t have “sexual contact” with the victims and denied making inappropriate comments to them.
“When asked if he had sexual intercourse with (a victim), he responded ‘I did not have sexual intercourse,'” records say. “When asked if he had oral intercourse, Canidate then asked to speak to a lawyer.” He also allegedly told police he was addicted to porn and regularly masturbated in the office.
After the 2024-2025 school year, Canidate left his school resource officer position for a job with Florida A&M University Police Department. He stayed there less than a year before returning to the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office and was placed back in the school system, according to court records.
GCSO said Canidate was “swiftly” terminated after his arrest, and “he will have to deal with the consequences of some poor and heinous choices.”
“And if he’s convicted he should be locked away for life!” Sheriff Morris Young said in a statement. “Canidate was placed in a position of trust with our most precious and vulnerable people; our kids. It’s disheartening to hear about these type cases but you have to deal with them and hope that those affected can recover from the physical trauma and mental scars.”
Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Gadsden school deputy fired after ‘disheartening’ student sex charges
Reporting by Elena Barrera, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Elena Barrera, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
