A former assistant principal at North Nicholas High School in Cape Coral faces accusations of inappropriate contact with a student and altering grades in exchange for that contact.
Jason Punyahotra pled not guilty to charges of inappropriate conduct with a student and tampering with or harassing a witness, victim or informant. Both charges are felonies.
Punyahotra is scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. Monday in Lee County Court.
According to a police report, the investigation began after a student submitted a tip through the Fortify Florida app. Interviews with former students revealed accusations of Punyahotra spending time alone with students in classrooms and making them uncomfortable with his touch.
One interviewee claimed Punyahotra and an unnamed student engaged in sexual activity in front of a Publix; however, there were conflicting details about the incident.
An affidavit revealed Punyahotra was previously accused of touching an eighth grader’s thigh at a middle school in 2018. That case was dropped due to lack of cooperation from the parents.
The school district placed Punyahotra on administrative leave and subsequently fired him once they were informed of the accusations in September.
Cape Coral grandfather Glen Gard expressed his outrage over the situation.
“I would be furious,” Gard said. “I might even be the one to lead the charge with the parents to go in there and make sure something’s done immediately.”
WINK News will be on the scene to provide updates on the proceedings.