ST. JOHNS, Fla. — A St. Johns mother is speaking out after she says a man who preached at her church sexually abused her son.
Action News Jax confirmed 25-year-old Deshawn Keith Collier was arrested Sunday morning after that mother went to police.
We’re choosing to keep the mother anonymous to protect her son’s identity. She says she discovered this information Saturday night after noticing her son’s behavior was off.
“He said, ‘Mom, I have been touched before,’ and I’m asking my son, like, ‘What do you mean you have been touched before?’” the victim’s mom said.
She says her son was just 14 years old when the sexual abuse started.
She says Collier has been paying her son for sexual acts for over two years after meeting him at their church as a traveling youth pastor. She says her son and Collier connected over music, and that’s when their “mentoring relationship” began.
She says one incident happened while she was in the hospital.
“[He] came up there while I was sick, and [he] had sex with my son in a bathroom, and paid him money,” the victim’s mother said. “What do you do with information like this? What do you say?”
The victim’s mother says she immediately went to confront Collier after learning about the abuse.
“I tried to confront him, and you know he lied on several attempts, stating he didn’t know my son, and then all of a sudden, he tells us that he did give my son money,” she said. “Grown men, you’re touching my son and then blaming my son. I’m angry.”
She also told Action News Jax that the suspect worked at a local school. We found a man with the same name listed as a security guard at Westview K-8.
DCPS sent us the following communication the principal of Westview K-8 shared with families:
Hello Westview PK-8 families,
This is Principal Griffin, and unfortunately, I am calling to share some very disappointing news. Today we have been informed that DeShawn Collier, a security guard and coach at our school, was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on allegations of Lewd/Lascivious Behavior with a Person 12 or Older but Less Than 16 Years with Consent.
I want to make it clear that these allegations do not involve a student at our school and are not related to the individual’s position or duties with Duval County Public Schools. I understand that news like this is very upsetting and concerning for our school community. Please know that the safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority.
While Mr. Collier is presumed innocent until proven guilty, he will not serve at any Duval County Public School pending the outcome of both the criminal investigation by JSO and the district’s internal Professional Standards Investigation. Duval County Public Schools will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and follow all applicable district policies and procedures.
Again, this is very disappointing news to share, but I wanted to ensure you heard this information directly from me
Thank you for your continued support and partnership of Westview PK-8.
Have a good afternoon.
Principal Griffin
We also requested Collier’s arrest report and mugshot from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Find Collier’s mugshot below:
Now, the victim’s mother wants to make sure other children going through something similar know it’s okay to come forward.
“If someone is touching on you inappropriately, do not be afraid, do not hide this,” she said. “This needs to be known. Go to your parents. Do not continue to allow anyone to put their hands on you to mentally or physically abuse you.”
Collier is being charged with lewd/lascivious molestation with a victim between 12 and 16 years old, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and traveling to meet after using a computer to seduce/solicit/lure a child.
The family started a GoFundMe to help with expenses related to the child’s healing.
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