A high school band director, recently named "Outstanding First Year Teacher" at St. Lucie West Centennial High School in Port St. Lucie, is out of a job and still in jail Tuesday night, charged with having sex with a student.
26 year-old Gary Burnette appeared before a judge Tuesday morning and ordered held on a 600-thousand dollar bond.
“It makes me disgusted that I trusted him and he would help me with my instrument," said Sophomore Gabby Guidice.
According to Port St. Lucie detectives, a 15 year-old female student sent a friend a Kik message Monday that said she was sexually involved with Burnette. That student took a screen shot of the message to preserve it, and brought it to school police.
“I’m speechless. I’m shocked about it, being a next-door neighbor," said Solveig Weston.
Burnette’s neighbors say he had kept to himself since moving in a few years ago, adding he had a young daughter.
“It’s more than surprise. It was a real shocker when I saw it on the news," said neighbor Bill Weston.
The affidavit shows Burnette telling detectives he had taken the teen under his wing, and was serving as an unofficial mentor to her.
If Burnette does make bond, he will have to wear a GPS monitor.
