A 39-year-old middle school teacher and soccer coach known for his anti-LGBTQ+ writings, Aaron Craig Gleason, has been arrested and charged with child molestation in Okaloosa, Florida.
Gleason, who has previously accused the queer community, specifically drag queens, of “grooming” children for sexual abuse, was apprehended by police on January 28 and charged with “lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12 by a person over the age of 18.” He is currently held on a $75,000 bond.
Gleason’s writings have appeared in anti-LGBTQ+ media outlets such as The Daily Wire, The Federalist, and The Imaginative Conservative.
Gleason, along with other contributors of these outlets, often repeat claims that LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies are “indoctrinating” and “sexualizing” children through public education and media. Again, Gleason has been accused of molesting a child under 12 himself. No details on the charges were released.
According to his LinkedIn and now-deleted Facebook profiles, Gleason had been employed as a full-time teacher at the Rocky Bayou Christian School (RBCS) for the past year. His boss at the school where he teaches, responded by asking for ‘prayers’ for the students.
In a 2023 article for The Federalist, Gleason, who will have to register as a sex offender if he’s found guilty, wrote: “It’s about the children — lost, invisible children who suffer in the depths of hell every single day.”
Last year, the Department of Justice identified Pool as one of several right-wing influencers paid by a Russian government-funded media company to disseminate Russian propaganda and misinformation to American audiences.
In a post dated June 24, 2023, on X, Gleason shared a video of protestors from that year’s New York City Drag March chanting, “We’re here, we’re queer, we’re coming for your children.” He commented, “No grooming going on here, they’re just coming for our children.” The video was initially posted on X by Timcast News, a media outlet run by anti-LGBTQ+ influencer Tim Pool, according to LGBTQnation.com.
In reaction to Gleason’s arrest, Superintendent of RBCS Mike Mosley sent an email to parents, obtained by Mid Bay News, stating, “I regret to inform you that one of our Middle School teachers was arrested today by local law enforcement officers. The teacher has been on paid administrative leave and off campus for two weeks. RBCS is fully cooperating with authorities in this matter until authorities have concluded their investigation. Please pray for our school and students during this difficult time.”
Gleason’s LinkedIn profile reads, “I see myself as primarily an educator. I am a Christian and a Conservative. I think that everything I do needs to be connected to openly serving my Lord and Master Jesus Christ. He gave his life for me and I need to give my life for him.”
The news of Gleason’s arrest has sparked a flurry of reactions online. One Instagram user commented: “Their accusations are always confessions,” while another added: “Yet again, not a drag queen,” A third remarked: “it’s always projection.” Another laughed: “Pulled that Uno reverse card and landed in jail.”
Okaloosa County Jail records indicate that Gleason remains in jail and has been denied bond. According to court records, Gleason’s first appearance hearing is scheduled for March 13, 2025, followed by a pretrial conference on April 14, 2025. Both court appearances will be presided over by Judge Lacey Powell Clark.
