Story
Former Royal Palm Beach high teacher, coach jailed on charges of luring child
Friday, December 07, 2012
by
Alexandra Seltzer
Former Royal Palm Beach High School teacher John R. Springer at the end of August told a 17-year-old student whom he coached on the volleyball team that he had something to tell her, but he couldn’t write or text it.
He called her that night, according to Palm Beach County School District Police, and told her she was “hot” and he liked her personality.
The attraction soon escalated into him sending nude pictures to the teen. At the 27-year-old teacher’s request, the teen sent nude pictures to him.
Springer now faces criminal charges of using a computer to solicit a minor and three counts of transmitting material harmful to minors.
The Royal Palm Beach resident was arrested Thursday and released from the Palm Beach County Jail after posting a $12,000 bond.
Springer was hired as a teacher at Royal Palm Beach High this school year, but was terminated Nov. 7 during his probationary period. He previously worked as a volleyball coach at Seminole Ridge High.
“Our detectives did a great job working with everyone involved,” said Larry Leon, the school district’s police chief.
The home-schooled student said that after the phone conversation with Springer, he told her twice not to tell anyone because “he knew it was wrong” but he “could not help who he was attracted to,” a school police probable cause affidavit says.
The teen told police in late October that her volleyball coach was flirting with her and making sexual comments. He texted her, she told police, and said he was starting to feel comfortable with his attraction. He told her how “good” she looked in her volleyball uniform and that he wanted her to “feel his body,” the affidavit says.
Later that week, Springer sent the nude pictures. “Do you like what you see?” he asked the teen about the pictures sent to her cell phone, according to the affidavit. The teen said yes, and sent him nude and partially nude pictures in return.
Springer’s attitude soon changed and told her to delete the photos and texts.
When detectives spoke with him on Nov. 2, Springer admitted to telling the teen in August that he was attracted to her but couldn’t tell her in a text message because he knew the feelings were wrong. He also admitted to feeling guilty after the teen sent him nude pictures because he knew that she was only 17.
Police say Springer said he told the teen to delete all pictures and texts because he “did not want any of what they did or discussed to come back up” as he knew the relationship would “affect his job, livelihood, and career.”
John Springer
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User Comments:
Surprised?? commented on December 7, 2012 at 6:37 p.m.: report abuse
What a surpirse? Another problem at Royal Palm Beach. Who in there right mind would EVER send there kid to Royal Palm Beac? It is the most corrupt school in the County. Great job Armas!
Why commented on December 7, 2012 at 8:32 p.m.: report abuse
Why are comments open? When a coach gets fired the post closes comments a lot.
I am SURE students know who the girls is, do you Really think it is appropriate to have comments open for this terrible story?
Do the right thing pbgametime and close comments for the MINORS sake before people start posting evil things, they always do
Really commented on December 7, 2012 at 8:42 p.m.: report abuse
Wow someone blames the principal for this? No one to blame but the man in the story. No way anyone would have predicted this happen. To blame it on anyone but him is ridiculous.
Not a corrupt school commented on December 7, 2012 at 8:57 p.m.: report abuse
It's not a corrupt school. Back up your accusations with proof and go through the proper channels otherwise drop it.
Matt and Jeff commented on December 7, 2012 at 9:32 p.m.: report abuse
Your site has become disgusting. The great job you guys do reporting is far overshadowed by the filth spewed by anonymous posters. Look at the football forums. They have become an embarrassment. It's not your fault but the obligatory "clean this up" has no impact. Jason Lieser would be rolling over in his grave.
Dont blame Matt & Jeff!! commented on December 8, 2012 at 7:02 a.m.: report abuse
You can not blame Matt and Jeff for reporting the news. RPB had a lot of negative publicity over the past few weeks!
1. DUI for one Coach
2. Code Red lock down a few days ago
3. The above Coach's misconduct
Look at the facts. If you want to "Clean this up", start with cleaning up RPB high school. When you have a large percentage of students opting to send their children to other schools instead of RPB because of all the riff raff, that is a good indication that SOMETHING is wrong!! And the news is not the problem!! It just sheds light on the sore subject!! No more smoke and mirrors Principle Armas!!
Reality check commented on December 8, 2012 at 7:33 a.m.: report abuse
The only thing Armas cares about is the football team. They are running the show at RPB. The County might have to step in on this one. It is out of control.
Great teachers are told to be quiet and overlooked. Clean it up.
Edit to don't blame commented on December 8, 2012 at 7:37 a.m.: report abuse
I apologize for the typo, that should say
"parents" opting to send their children!
What's to learn really? commented on December 8, 2012 at 7:59 a.m.: report abuse
1) If you get a DUI as an educator it's bad news bottom line. DUIs have not just happened for educators at royal palm but several other schools, unfortunately it happens and there's no excuse for it but you can't blame the school.
2) Code Red Lockdown handled well nobody hurt. PBSO involved about matter that happened near community not about matter on school. Sounds like PBSO called for attempted arrest on campus not the school. PBSO matter brought to RPB.
3) above coach's misconduct bad news bottom line. Really don't believe anyone knew it was going on until a student brought to someone's attention. result, teacher immediately fired referred to law enforcement.
Sounds like the place is being cleaned up and the school reacts to protocol properly. Bad things happen everywhere. Don't stereotype the whole school because of individuals making bad decisions.
Btw, over 2000 parents send their kid to RPB. Up from the last two years. Can't deny that fact either. More choices for students now. If nothing else, adults on RPB campus see others make these mistakes and begin monitoring their own behavior better. The school goes through adversity, reacts properly, and becomes better by battling through the adversity.
Not fair commented on December 8, 2012 at 8:12 a.m.: report abuse
Not fair. Armas cares about a lot more than football. He is at a vast array of events and encourages student and teacher participation in all kinds of activities. Facts.
Set the tone commented on December 8, 2012 at 10:17 a.m.: report abuse
As a parent of 3 children , 2 of whom graduated from RPB 4 years ago and one who currently attends the school, I must say that the school as a whole has not gotten better. I have spoken with some of the wonderful teachers who my kids have had in the past and they all seem to feel this principal has brought in "educators/coaches" who seem to be there to first coach, teach second. Many of the better teachers who have left over the past 3 left because they saw the shift in priorities and a lot of cronyism with administration and faculty. And yes people have known and looked the other way while poor behaviors were going on inside the school with faculty, administrators and students and athletes.
No, it is not Mr Armas fault that: 1) Baseball coach/English teacher gets arrested 3 times while at the school. 2) Volleyball/Math teacher gets arrested for predatory behavior. 3) Student breaks into a home shoots and kills dog. 4) Student on campus flees police causing lockdown ; all within a month.
But as teachers have correctly pointed out Coaches at the school do feel entitled and administration has looked the other way on other questionable practices and ethical issues that haven't been made public. I am astonished when I hear some of the behaviors of students from approved recordings my child has taken in class of lectures and instruction . Students in some of these classes actually shout down the teacher . When I visited the school , I was amazed at the number of students in the hallways during class time. The school may have more students due to stricter magnet entry into surrounding schools but this administration has been more concerned with covering up issues and getting press for winning games than helping the non athlete and average student. The school has been reactive not proactive in way too many instances we don't even know . I want the school to improve BUT it is not. The Principal summits are pr sessions about FCAT and money. Full disclosure of many issues would run this administration out of the school immediately.
Reality commented on December 8, 2012 at 11:40 p.m.: report abuse
The problem here is the individual named in the newspaper and has nothing to do with the school, district or principal. These loonies unfortunately exist everywhere. Put the blame where it should be and read some of the other recent sports blogs and you will read about the serious stuff that exist in some places.
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