A middle school safety and security specialist faces charges, accused of soliciting two students to engage in lewd conduct.
Duane Simon, of Fort Myers, faces two counts of an authority figure soliciting a student to engage in lewd conduct; two counts of using a computer to solicit a child; and two counts of solicitation of child pornography. He remained in custody Friday on $180,000 bond.
According to Fort Myers Police, on June 4, Simon was employed by the Lee County School District as a safety and security specialist for Fort Myers Middle School at the time of the claims. His mugshot, birth date, age and local address were withheld.
Lt. Sarah Rodriguez, spokesperson for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, said Simon is protected under Chapter 119 of the Florida State Statutes, which under certain circumstances allows for the redaction of certain public servants’ information.
Fort Myers Police said in a news release that in April, their Special Victims Unit began investigating a criminal complaint involving Simon and a student.
After a thorough investigation, police said, detectives determined that Simon had been text messaging two students and that the messages were sexual.
Fort Myers Police reminds parents to monitor their children’s electronic devices to help keep them safe.
“The safety, well-being, and protection of our students is our absolute highest priority,” Rob Spicker, spokesperson for the School District, wrote in a statement. “Within minutes of the School District learning on May 1, 2026, from the Fort Myers Police Department the allegations of inappropriate contact with students, the employee was terminated and prohibited from returning to campus.”
Simon’s arraignment is July 6.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@usatodayco.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers Middle school security specialist arrested, fired
Reporting by Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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By Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
