Teacher Arrested for Alleged Sexual Relationship with Former Student

A teacher in Panama City, Florida, has been arrested and charged with a felony count of authority figure engaging in sexual conduct with a student. Erika Mattson, 36, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student who claims it began in May 2023.

According to a police affidavit, the student, who was 18 and attending the Kaleidoscope School of Discovery where Mattson taught, stated that the relationship started after he found her crying in her classroom and approached her. Mattson had also been the student’s middle school teacher previously.

The student reported to police that he and Mattson began exchanging messages and flirting while he was still enrolled at the high school. This allegedly led to them agreeing to a date. The student stated that instead of going to the cinema as planned, they “talked and made out.”

The affidavit further details the student’s account, stating that days later, Mattson invited him to her home, where they had sexual intercourse. The student reportedly told police that they engaged in sexual activity “numerous times” before his graduation.

Authorities stated that the student provided photographic evidence, including “shirtless photos of the victim with [Mattson] embracing him” and “kissing.”

Mattson was arrested last week and taken to Bay City Jail. She was subsequently released after posting a $25,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on May 15 and is reportedly planning to represent herself in the case.