SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — A Punta Gorda Middle School teacher was taken into custody Friday following a multi-agency law enforcement operation tied to a child sexual battery investigation.
Deputies with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, along with the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Task Force out of Fort Myers, arrested Brian L. Pavluchuk, 40, on July 24, 2026.
Investigators say Pavluchuk was known to the victim and is accused of sexually abusing the child multiple times over a three-year period, spanning from 2014 to 2017.
Detectives established probable cause for felony charges—including sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation—after gathering evidence through interviews, witness statements, and recorded admissions.
Pavluchuk is currently employed as a teacher with Charlotte County Public Schools at Punta Gorda Middle School. Following his arrest, district officials confirmed he was placed on administrative leave.
“We are deeply troubled by the arrest made today involving a Charlotte County Public Schools employee. While this matter did not occur within a school setting, we want to be clear that every CCPS employee is held to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, both on and off campus,” said Claudette Smith, Public Information Officer for Charlotte County Public Schools. “We understand the concern and disappointment this creates within our community, and we take these matters seriously. The individual has been placed on administrative leave as we follow established procedures and continue to work closely with the appropriate authorities. We encourage anyone with information related to this matter to contact local law enforcement.”
Authorities stated that the investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone who has additional information regarding this case, or who may know of other possible victims, is asked to contact the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section at 941-861-4900.
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