Florida HS teacher turns herself in on charges of sex with student

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- A 26-year-old St. Augustine High School teacher charged with having unlawful sexual activity with a minor turned herself in on Wednesday, according to CBS affiliate WKMG.

Virginia Houston Hinckley, who lives in Jacksonville, Florida, turned herself in at the Nassau County Sheriff's Office after learning a warrant for her arrest had been issued, the station reported.

Detectives began an investigation Oct. 20 after allegations that Hinckley had sex with a 16-year-old boy who was one of her students. They turned the investigation over to the State Attorney's Office, which issued the arrest warrant Wednesday afternoon.

Hinckley is charged with having unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a second-degree felony. She was released Wednesday after posting $10,000 bond.

WKMG reported that the arrest warrant affidavit alleges the student said he became "flirty" with Hinckley, his English teacher, days after school began and that he and others commented on how she was pretty and how he "tickled" her.

The student initially asked for Hinckley's phone number, according to the station. She said no, but when he asked again the next day, she gave it to him and told him not to tell anyone, the affidavit said.

The two began exchanging text messages, including nude photos, according to the student.

According to the affidavit, the student would often go to Hinckley's classroom after school, and when they were alone one day in August they began kissing and touching. She allegedly suggested they go to a local park and followed him there.

The student got out of his vehicle and sat in the front seat of Hinckley's vehicle, where they kissed before moving to the back seat and having unprotected sex, the affidavit said.

Later that day, Hinckley allegedly sent the student a text message that said, "You better keep your mouth shut about this." They continued exchanging text messages for about a week and then stopped all communication, the affidavit said, according to the station.

The affidavit said that on Oct. 15, a St. Augustine High School teacher overheard two female students talking about Hinckley having sex with a 16-year-old student.

Four written statements were obtained from students about the incident, according the the station, and then deputies questioned the teacher. She told deputies that because she's a young, female teacher with a "bubbly personality," she could be perceived as flirtatious.

She said she was aware of rumors but initially denied any physical contact with a student. Later she said that they hugged and that he gave her a peck kiss, the affidavit said.

Hinckley denied going to a park to have sex with the student. Her vehicle was seized and swabbed for DNA after deputies obtained a search warrant.

WKMG reported Hinckley was suspended with pay in October pending the outcome of the Sheriff's Office and school investigations, according to the St. Johns County school district.

According to the St. Augustine High School website, Hinckley teaches ninth-grade English and ninth- and tenth-grade intensive reading.