Aaron Aziz Hamid, a teacher at John A. Ferguson Senior High School in Miami, surrendered to Miami-Dade Police on Monday, November 8, 2021, after being arrested for sexual abuse of a 16-year-old student. Hamid, age 27, was taken into custody, and then charged with three felony counts, including offenses against students by authority figures and unlawful sexual activity with a specified minor.
According to media reports, an investigation began in October 2021, after Hamid was accused of inappropriate behavior with a student. At the start of the Covid pandemic, the then 16-year-old alleged victim was a junior in Hamid's advanced placement history class, which she attended via Zoom.
According to police reports, Hamid and his student began communicating using the Remind App Communication platform and exchanged phone numbers. The student told police that Hamid would often pick her up and that sexual activity took place in his car or at his Cutler Bay home while he was still her teacher. The report stated that the student's best friend notified a school staff member in October that an inappropriate relationship was going on and the police were then contacted.
The alleged victim stated that the defendant contacted her the morning that the alleged incident was reported, and she deleted content that could be incriminating information from her phone. The arrest report also states that the sexual contact between Hamid and his student lasted approximately one year.
Although Hamid was not arrested until he surrendered on November 8, he was placed on an alternate assignment while the allegation was investigated. District officials say he has now been fired. Miami-Dade County Public Schools released the following statement regarding the arrest: "An allegation of this nature against any one of our employees is disheartening and illicit behavior will not be tolerated. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) will continue to remind employees of their professional, moral and ethical duties and responsibilities. As a result of this arrest, this individual's employment with M-DCPS will be terminated immediately and he will be prevented from seeking future work with the District."
Hamid is just one of several South Florida teachers to face charges this year for having inappropriate actions with a student. This is every parent's worst nightmare. Schools should always be a place where parents can trust that their children will be cared for and protected from harm.
Attorney Adam Horowitz has substantial experience representing victims of sexual abuse in the school system. If you have been a victim of sexual misconduct by Aaron Hamid or have any knowledge about such events at John A. Ferguson Senior High School, please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or e-mail sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz today.