A Manatee County teacher has been arrested and charged with a sex crime. 

  • Manatee teacher charged with sex crime with minor
  • Steven Joseph Kempa, 34, charged with sex with teen girl

Steven Joseph Kempa, 34, was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor. 

Kempa has taught world history at Manatee School for the Arts in Palmetto for the past three years. School officials said there were no complaints in his employment file.

According to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, the victim is a 16-year-old girl who does not attend the school. Authorities said Kempa had sex with the teen sometime between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

An investigation is ongoing, and detectives are trying to determine whether he inappropriately had contact with any other minors.