Former Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher One Of Seven Arrested For Allegedly Soliciting Kids For Sex

November 24, 2019

One of the men arrested in a sting last week that targeted the online solicitation of underage teens for sexual activity is a former teacher at a North Escambia school.

NorthEscambia.com has learned 34-year old James David McAllister of Cantonment was the band and chorus director at Ernest Ward Middle School. McAllister led the music departments at the school in Walnut Hill during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years.

He reportedly interned or completed his student teaching at Bailey Middle School prior to his tenure at Ernest Ward.

McAllister was one of seven men arrested during an undercover operation dubbed “Operation Rotten Pumpkin” announced Friday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

McAllister is charged with using a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child; traveling to meet after use of a computer to lure child; using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and sexual battery on a victim 12 years less than 18 years by a person 18 years or older. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set at $115,000.

None of the charges are in any manner connected to his employment at Ernest Ward Middle School.

Investigators used social media or websites like Craigslist and Skip the Games to pose as 18 or 19 year olds to engage persons in conversation. Then the investigators told the individuals that they were really 13 or 14 years old, according to ECSO Chief Deputy Chip Simmons.

“Hundreds of people were engaged, but the majority backed out quickly when they realized it was a 13 or 14 year old boy or girl,”  Simmons said. The seven charged and another dozen or more continued the conversations and in some cases exchanged pictures.

Those charged drove to a predetermined location under the pretense of a sexual meeting with the underage children but were instead met with deputies and the SWAT team, according to Simmons.  The investigation into other individuals continues.

In additon to McAllister, the others charged were:

  • James Patrick Dibble, 20, Pensacola
  • Kevin Gerald Dailey, 25, Pensacola
  • Benjamin Larry Marshall, 33, Pensacola
  • Ronaldo Castro Bautista, 54, Orange Beach
  • Michael Dawayne Gulley, 23, Prichard
  • Patrick John Bradt, 47, Crestview

Pictured above and below:  James McAllister leads the Ernest Ward Middle School band and chorus during a Christmas program December 16, 2016. Pictured bottom: McAllister leads the entire Ernest Ward Middle School student body in Christmas carols on December 16, 2016. NorthEscambia.com chose to blur student faces from our original photos because the students are unrelated to “Operation Rotten Pumpkin”. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

8 Responses to “Former Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher One Of Seven Arrested For Allegedly Soliciting Kids For Sex”

  1. Smith & Wesson on November 25th, 2019 7:43 am

    @ Paul

    And some people think teachers shouldn’t be armed.

  2. Sedition on November 25th, 2019 7:35 am

    If there were any justice, he would be physically castrated and have his eyesight removed.

  3. Liz on November 24th, 2019 8:54 pm

    I pray for our precious children both boys and girls nowadays. Used to sadly the girls were preyed on now it’s both. Sick selfish people in this crazy town and nation we live in.

  4. paul on November 24th, 2019 9:39 am

    And some people think teachers should be armed…

  5. john on November 24th, 2019 8:38 am

    Everyone needs Jesus.

  6. Matchbox on November 24th, 2019 7:15 am

    Sick…sick individuals.

  7. paul on November 24th, 2019 3:14 am

    This predator hiding in plain sight…they are everywhere, and all rotten indeed.

  8. Michael Jackson on November 24th, 2019 2:13 am

    Smooth Criminal.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News