DCF Agent accused of smoking marijuana with teen

An employee with the Department of Children and Families was arrested Friday in Gainesville after he allegedly started a relationship with a 16-year-old that centered on drug usage.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, 28-year-old Josiah R. Winfrey messaged the teen via Facebook for more than a month on topics of drugs and sex before eventually meeting.

Deputies said Winfrey was the victim's caseworker at the time.

According to a police report, Winfrey picked up the victim from her school. Then Winfrey drove her around Gainesville while they smoked marijuana.

Deputies said Winfrey admitted to the Facebook conversations and the physical meet-up but denies using marijuana.

Winfrey was taken to the Alachua County Jail. He was held on a $20,000 bond.

"The allegations reflect badly on our highly dedicated investigators who are committed to protecting children," said DCF spokesman John Harrell. "We are in the process of terminating this investigator, who we immediately removed from the field as soon as we heard of these allegations."

Winfrey is facing charges of tampering and destroying physical evidence and delivering drugs to a minor.

An investigation is ongoing.