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Homestead physical education teacher, 37, accused of sex with 14-year-old girl

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – A 37-year-old physical education teacher from Homestead faced a charge of lewd and lascivious battery after Miami-Dade police said he had sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Police arrested Joseph Edward Tolliver Tuesday.

The report describes Tolliver as the victim’s “physical education coach” and said he would “enter through her bedroom window to avoid being seen by her mother.”

It states that the two had sex in a parking lot as recently as Saturday.

Homestead police were initially contacted, according to MDPD. The department then turned the case over to Miami-Dade detectives.

Tolliver is employed by the Miami-Dade school district, according to police. A person with the same last name is listed as a staff member at a K-8 school in Homestead.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools said Tolliver had been employed with the district since 2008.

“We commend the Miami-Dade Police Department for their investigative work on this case, which occurred away from the school setting, and for bringing this individual to justice. The District has initiated employment termination proceedings, and will ensure the individual is precluded from seeking future employment with the District. Miami-Dade County Public Schools is profoundly disturbed by the abhorrent allegations made against this individual. This District goes to great lengths to promote a safe and secure learning environment and any actions that run contrary to that will not be tolerated.”

Miami-Dade County Public Schools statement

There were no indications that he had a past criminal history in Miami-Dade County.

He was being held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Miami-Dade police are asking any additional victims to come forward and contact the agency’s Special Victims Bureau at 305-715-3300.


About the Authors
Bridgette Matter headshot

Bridgette Matter joined the Local 10 News team as a reporter in July 2021. Before moving to South Florida, she began her career in South Bend, Indiana and spent six years in Jacksonville as a reporter and weekend anchor.

Chris Gothner headshot

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.

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