(10/29/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Stephen Brian Turner, 43, a journalism, television production and digital design teacher at Fernandina Beach High School in Fernandina Beach, Florida has reportedly been arrested on allegations unlawful sexual activity with a minor in what authorities described as a two-year relationship with the 17-year-old female student.
Turner is reportedly charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor, child abuse, showing obscene material to a minor, providing alcohol to a person younger than 21 and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Detectives obtained and executed search and arrest warrants on Wednesday and discovered that Turner had cleaned and abandoned his Fernandina Beach residence. Investigators found Turner at his parents’ house in Jacksonville on Thursday and arrested him with the assistance of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The alleged victim has reportedly told investigators that the relationship started two years ago and that the two began a sexual relationship a year ago and that during the relationship that he bought her a cell phone and jewelry.
Turner was booked into the Duval County jail and ordered held on $260,010 bond.
A school system spokesperson indicated that Turner was suspended from work with pay on October 12 after the school and district were made aware of the investigation and that Turner was suspended without pay on October 22nd.
11/12/09 – Additional Charges
Reportedly, Stephen Brian Turner has been charged with additional counts of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
All of the alleged crimes are said to have occurred within the city limits of Fernandina Beach. The alleged crimes with which Turner was charged in October are said to have occurred at Turner’s home outside Fernandina Beach.
Both sets of charges allege the same victim.
Bond for Turner in the latest charges was set at $450,000 and Turner was reportedly being held in the Nassau County jail Thursday in lieu of bond.
I did a lot of research on student/teacher relationships for a school project and came across a lot of interesting things. What most of my research states is that usually the teacher [or in some cases the student] have a psychological issue. Many cases of Teacher/student sexual relationships one of the significant other has had some kind of mental issue such as, depression, alcoholism, bi polarness and so forth. I was in this class with the two of them and i saw the way she looked at him. She always looked and smiled at him when he wasn’t paying attention and then looked at herself to make sure she was looking good just incase he looked her at, i’m a people watcher so i really notice everything. It was really obvious and our class new for the two years we were taking that class because no one else wore his jackets, he never brought and made lunch for any of us, no one went into his back office with just him and shut the door while everyone else went to lunch, and lastly none of our thongs or sexual pictures were in his room or file cabinet, in which a friend of mine found. Many of you guys say “he’s been one of the most influential people in my life” but all this is just a more reason to believe it was all an act. Of course he’s going to try and act like a teacher when he’s infront of all his student, but he was having a really hard time with his divorce and he needed attention so he found a girl in his classroom to fulfill his hole in his heart. He took advantage of her being young and not knowing the right from the wrong. A phenomenon psychologists call ‘transference’ happens when a child tend to shift the feelings they had about parents to other adults, such as teachers. For instance, a male teacher may make a female student feel overpowered, such as a father figure, so she gives in. Loneliness or dissatisfaction with a teachers at home relationships may be one factor driving teachers to sexually abuse students. Teachers who have sex with students are most likely deeply insecure or have unresolved issues of their own.
Castration sounds like the answer. These people are all predators! Chop Chop!
I just think it will be interesting to see what happens in this case. The so called “victim” is not as innocent as the media perceives her to be. Girls that are 15, 16, and 17 years of age may quite possibly be the most powerful people in this country because all they have to do is cry wolf and, as a society, we don’t think twice about the possibility of them lying. We automatically condemn the accused. The truth will come out in the end. But whether the accuser and family will be ready to face it is a completely different story.
John you have no CLUE what you’re talking about. turner did not divorce his wife for this chick, she divorced HIM because he did the same exact thing in jacksonville. She was 15 when it started, still a child, this is sick and yall are defending him! Yet when a well respected female teacher does the same thing EVERYONE calls her a w**** and how disgraceful she is. Turner knew better, HE SHOWED HER PORNO!, Yall all are sick. Turner was a kickass teacher when I had him but he’s sick, just sick, yall are sick too
This girl, this victim (because I consider her so), is an amazingly sweet girl who was taken advantage of. I’ve known this girl for almost 10 years and she is one of the nicest people I know. Its unfortunate that this monster would cross her path and completely ruin her life. The shame that was brought on by him has forced her from her own school and away from the people that care for her.
You can not blame this mess on her. You have to blame it on that skeeve. I go to her school, and every time I passed him in the hall I got the chill bumps because I knew something was off. Everyone who had his classes told me that he was creepy and made them uncomfortable. Why the administration took so long to act, I do not know, but several students and friends of mine went to the office to inform the administration of their suspicions of Turner.
I agree with “Roxanne”. This man has ruined the lives of this girl’s family and she will never be able to come back to our school because of the shame Turner has brought upon her. I do not blame her for not wanting to face the taunting student body, but I do miss her and I would like her to know I’m here for her.
Turner may have been a nice “life changing” teacher, but he obviously had other motives that would ruin some innocent girl’s life forever.
“Completely ruin her life” haha. And the lives of her family, wow. I take it they’re a pretty fragile people? And “never be able to come back to school bc of the shame he brought upon her”? You sound pretty scandalous; are you living in the late 18th century?
Let’s flatter ourselves to think that the girl will get over it and grow as a person. After all she still has her whole life ahead of her, and many girls have had it much worse than she. Perhaps she can go to a support group, if she doesn’t get enough support from her family. The wanton replies of her mother below in which she states, “I hope someone does this to one of your family members”, certainly points to her not having the maturity to counsel her daughter.
What with the family’s personal drama surrounding this case, we’ll have to let the court decide if there was any degree of malicious intent or predation toward the young girl, or if it was lack of judgment on either party. For your account of “everyone having had creepy feelings about him” is hearsay.
i always knew there was something creepy about him. Always looking down girls shirts and sharing his coffee mug with the alleged victim. It’s sad, he lost his kids, job, all for a teenage girl. Pathetic, i hope he stays in jail, less predators to worry about!!!
Joe Blow, you have no idea who this man was, or who the supposed “victim” is. Mr. Turner was one of the best teachers I’ve ever had and I learned more helpful, real world knowledge from him than any other teacher, (in case your wondering, I am in his class currently.) The alleged “victim” is not a victim at all (not going to name any names but Ive gone to school with her for about 8 years.) She made a conscious decision to go through with this and she could have stopped it at any time. He divorced his wife for this girl and although I dont agree with any decision made by the two of them and I think this is absolutely disgusting, I still feel sorry for him because he was, in essence, a very nice man.
So John….go sit in the cell with him and let him sing you a song…..you went to school with my daughter??? You feel sorry for him….you should see what he had done to my family.
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Funny Dollene, I mean “Roxanne”, you state yourself that YOU sat there as he was supposedly laughing and being around you and his parents, yet YOU did not see this? I am with the others that ask “where were the parents in all of this?” Oh – that’s right, you were sitting right there. You say what this has done to your family and that is a load of c***. You are just a pathetic person looking for a quick payday from the School Board (I’m sure the lawsuit will be forthcoming – it always is from people like you). Funny, I recall several tales of your daughter being on vacation alone with you or with family and she is drunk dialing back to Mr Turner for help because her mother has left her alone in a bar with a bunch of drunk guys. How many times have you been to Mr Turner’s shows with her? Every time – who bought drinks for her? That would be you or your wonderful ex-husband. You are quick to point fingers yet you have yet to mention how you are being looked into by the Child Protective Services for your part in her neglect and the supposed eating disorder that she confessed to her teacher or for the alcohol you contributed to her. You basically threw her at his feet on a silver platter – or is it that you are angry that you could not have him yourself? Do you recall how many people you said “I wanna have sex with him” to in your drunken stupor at several of his shows? You may want to start admitting what YOU have done to your daughter and your family and stop pointing the blame at everyone else. Your daughter needs help and she needs to be taken away from you. Many people know this man and have been taught by this man and more than not attest to his good character and the lives he has changed in a positive way. I’ve known him for more than 20 years – he’s not bright or devious enough to have been the only person in this little alleged relationship to concoct any type of stories or to be the only one to be accountable for this. Your daughter has just as much in this as he does – as do you since, as you say, YOU were there many times in the presence of both of them and how much YOU helped him – destroyed your family? I don’t think so. His family is far more destroyed than yours will ever be. If your daughter is so innocent of this, then why isn’t she in school? Because of embarrassment? If she is innocent as you claim, then she would be embraced by those around her – but that’s not the case, is it? Because they know the truth. It takes 2. And she is definitely of the age to make decisions on her own. She can say no to alcohol, say no to the pills, no to men, but she CHOOSES to indulge in them.
And John, he didn’t leave his wife for this girl, that marriage was over years ago and they stayed for the sake of their children. And “Roxanne” you know, because he opened up to you on it as well, that he was not the only one that had ‘left’ the marriage – she did as well because they both knew the marriage was over at that point. People are entitled to move on – they both did. Why did he move to Fernandina? You pushed him and – oh, he worked RIGHT THERE. Why live in Duval and have such a long drive to work each day when he could move up there. You helped him because he opened up to YOU about his marriage. You may want to stick to the facts, not the lies that you continue to throw out there.
As for anyone being too young, there are students at that school that are married – they are currently attending and are married to people. Hello. Times have changed, a 16/17 year old girl is not as innocent as they may have been 20 years ago. Michael C makes great points on that and it’s nice to see that there are some intelligent people who are willing to look at the whole situation and waive the possibility that the whole truth is not out there yet. I can’t wait til it does come out – are you really ready for that “Roxanne”?
Kudos to you Elle. Nice to see the other side of the coin. Looking forward to the day when all the liars are exposed for what they really are. I’m with you. He’s a nice guy. Made bad decisions, probably. But glass houses man. I woudldn’t be the first.
THANK YOU ELLE, FINALLY SOMEONE IS SPEAKING THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!
Elle! You are awesome! FINALLY someone speaks the truth!
I went to school with this man, from seventh grade on into senior year of high school. I haven’t seen him since, but I do think it’s ridiculous for people to post condemnations of someone they don’t know when they don’t know all the facts. We all went to school and we understand how complicated our feelings at that time are. I for one had a lot of sex as a public school pupil. If I could have slept with a couple of those teachers, God knows I would have. We need to start rethinking the concept of “too young,” and “Kara P” testifies to the value of a good teacher. Maybe too young is thirteen or so, for instance. But the press doesn’t allow us to know everything else or cannot, in order to protect a minor. I’d like to know more. Brian, as we called him, was a perfectly nice guy. If he did something we’re not being told about, well that’s one thing. But in a culture that worships youth, and spotlights celebrities who date boys or girls who look younger than their true age, aren’t we hypocrites to condemn him before we know all the facts? Young people can be co-conspirators, but we flatter ourselves they’re just nice, sweet kids while we let our own kids get caught up in the mania of Miley Cyrus–and no knock against Miley, she’s fine. She’s just taking advantage of what’s been offered to her. But we do ascribe a certain more mature eroticism to her Hanna Montana character and let ourselves off easy because it’s under the auspices of the Disney Channel. I’m grateful in this quick news cycle world that Kara P, one of the few involved in this controversy who actually knows the person she’s talking about, has the courage to stand up for another human being. Educators, don’t be so smug. Don’t be selfish, PC puritans!
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This man carefully chose this child as his victim. She fit his profile beautifully, she was intellegent, didn’t have very many friends, and was in search of a father figure. He probably made these observations of his next victim during the year and a half leading up to this affair. This little girl was truly victimized. Once the affair started, who could she share this with? Who could she share these boyfriend experiences with? Who could she giggle and cry with? NO ONE!!!
HE had her just where he wanted her. Teaching her the ways of adult love on an uneven playing field. This man was in a position of power. He is a classic predator!
Thank you “joe Blow” for defending her. I know more than anyone and am finding out more everyday….
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I have known this man for 4 years and while what he did was wrong. Where were this girls parents during this two year relationship? This man is a wonderful kindhearted man who would do anything for anyone, even a total stranger, so while he may have been wrong, there is much much more to this story than the media is portraying. I just ask that you all not judge him until the whole story has come out.
Kato…. and all who think she is at fault……-this child has never had a baby sitter nor had a date. I am her mother. She was ALWAYS with me….he was my friend…as a matter of fact, called me his “Big Sister”….as we are both only children. I know his parents, wife, children, aunts…everyone. I was with them at all functions. He did most of his dirty little deeds at school… This past summer….she started “babysitting” for his little girl who is now 7. That is when the lies began. He bought her items from Victoria Secrets, rings, three religious crosses, on and on. I had no idea. He would sit…in front of me and his parents….laughing and having a good time, knowing what he was doing to her. My heart and soul are broken and her life is destroyed. I hope…if he has done this to any other female, that they will have the courage to call Detective Chad Lee at the Fernandina Police Department…904-277-7342,,,ext, 248. He will protect the other victims without using their names….So….Anyone who wants to know the whole story….the real truth….contact Detective Lee….and YOU get in touch with me. He told her how to wear her hair, how to dress, talked her into not trying out for cheerleading, said every student at the school was a drunk and on drugs. He would come to my house, watch tv with me, talk to me about his divorce….well, he said he was getting a divorce. I found him a nice place to live, gave him plates, furniture, linens, firewood…..helped decorate his daughters room. He is SICK and NEVER needs to be let out of his cage…I will spend the rest of my life making sure of that, because he may as well have killed me. As far as being a good teacher…. he gave out “packets” ….let the students do their work, never taught, watched videos on his computer, typed his “Rip Tide” band newsletter, watched porno at school, and looked for people he could control…..look up the definition of Sociopath…..it fits him to the letter. I feel sorry for his mama and daddy. He has twisted my daughters head so bad…she doesn’t know what she is doing. We are moving from this pit of an island….after I see him go down. I only hope, that all of you who are saying that “she” knew what she was doing….has to live through what we are going through. I hope he burns in hell. And for Kara P….he probably did it to you…check out his life in Duval County….Why did he leave there??? Arrest her…you must be joking….I hope someone does this to one of your family members.
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ok for one Dolleene, i went to school with you daughter and cheered with her. my heart goes out to you and your family. i am very sorry. i can say from personal experience (not Mr. turner) that i feel for your daughter. my childhood was taken from me. i know how she feels. Stella yes was into Mr. turner however he is the adult, and the teacher. he knows what he did, and he knew it was wrong. i hope he dies in prison for what he did. all you people need to stop this and grow up. if you have something rude to say keep it to your self. this man is sick and needs help. this girl went to school with me, was in my journalism class, cheered with me, and danced on the dance team with me. HE IS THE MESSED UP ONE!! so all of you grow up. this is not a joking matter. this man has a problem. and who ever the hell you are “Kara P” you know nothing i had him for 4 years and i would not let myself stay in the room with that man by myself. he is a freak!
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Jana B – I feel sorry for you and your situation as I am for (Name Deleted by site moderator) but listen she had many of resources to go to for help but instead she liked it. I too had T for four years and he was one of the best teachers I have ever and will ever have! He is a wonderful person but rather judged for something so selfish. Her lies started adding up and she knew she was about to get in trouble. I really hope that is feels guily for what she has done!
(Name Deleted by site moderator) has no right to stay in this town! If her life is so over because of this then she needs to leave town and move on! Nobody wants to see her working at (Deleted by site moderator), just leave!
As for telling people to grow up…you yourslef should try it; he should die in prision? Really? How old are you again?
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Ha! You are pathetic! How as a ‘mother’ do you not notices the changes in your daughter life? Everyone else could notice expect her own mother! If I don’t recall you invited him into your home to stay until he found a place to live…first of all, that is very strange and something that should not have been done. A teacher has a role, to educate, which he did very well not to invite over for dinner and decorate rooms together. As for his teacher style…were you ever in his classroom observing his teaching techniques? No! I think you just believe everything your perfectly little girl tells you, which now you may see, she lies. Oh and where do these explicit videos that you are talking about come into play because for four years and many visits years after I never saw them…let me guess your little girl told you about them, again, lies. (Name Deleted by site moderator) is not the sweet little girl that you thought she was…sitting in his office crying on his shoulder, wearing his sweatshirts, but I am sure she never told those minor things either.
As for wishing this on someone else to see what you have been through is disgusting? Are you ill too? I would say that you should have raised your daughter to be more like a lady but I wouldn’t want to blame anything on you because this wasn’t your fault at all, right?
I have not written on this article because I was trying to let my frustrating go and make peace with the situation but obviously my strong opinions will never change.
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This is ridiculous!!! Mr. Turner was one of the most influencial people in my life during high school. His love for english and reading turned me to find myself. I am sure she had not objected to this encounter until her parents found out!! Absolutely absurb, arrest her.
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