Zachary Mason, 24, of the 5100 block of Palmetto Avenue, east of the Deerland area, turned himself into the Walton County Jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest Friday afternoon.
The investigation was the result of a tip submitted through the Fortify Florida app last Tuesday regarding a relationship between Mason and a student, S.O. officials said. Mason was immediately suspended by the Walton County School District.
During the investigation, it was found Mason and the student began communicating through Snapchat in December 2025 and exchanged messages that became romantic and sexual in nature, S.O. officials said.
“Mason also admitted the two went to his home and had sex after picking the student up in Walton County,” S.O. officials said.
Mason faces charges of engaging in a romantic relationship with a student by an authority figure and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. He posted bond and was released from jail on Saturday.
The investigation is still ongoing, and more charges may be forthcoming, S.O. officials said.
