IMG Academy had Alleged Sexual Predator on Staff, Says Police. Once Discovered, Female Teacher Goes on Run Before Surrendering

Amy Dash |

Sep 24, 2021

A 38-year-old now former teacher at IMG Academy named Taylor Anderson has been arrested and charged with Sexual Battery and Transmission of Harmful Material to a Minor after an alleged months long relationship dating back to at least July that was reported to authorities by the elite athletic academy in September.

On September 14, 2021 detectives with the MCSO Crimes Against Children Unit were notified by staff at IMG about a possible sexual relationship between a teacher and an underage student, according to an official press release by the Manatee Sheriff’s office. IMG administration had overheard rumors about a sexual relationship between the teacher and one of its student athletes. Once confronted, the student admitted he had sex with Anderson, according to detectives. She was terminated a short time later.

“During the investigation detectives found that Anderson was communicating with the student via direct messages, social media and texts over a period of several weeks. Detectives also learned that Anderson picked up the student from the student’s apartment in July of 2021 and travelled to the beach where the pair engaged in sexual acts while inside Anderson’s vehicle,” read the release.

When confronted, Anderson refused to talk with detectives and requested a lawyer. Police executed search warrants on her residence, her vehicle and her cell phone. The evidence police retrieved along with the statements made by the student and data obtained from the student’s cell phone supported warrants for her arrest and the subsequent charges.

Anderson then spent several days away from her residence and authorities say she was evading deputies. She even left the state for a brief time and was allegedly on the lam. She turned herself in on September 20th. The investigation is ongoing.

IMG charges students tuition as high as $91,000, to attend the prestigious academy, depending on the sport. A good majority of its student athletes go on to play in professional leagues. The existence of an alleged sexual predator among its ranks is shocking to say the least.