Jovanté Teague is the Vice-Chair of the Florida Republican Party. He was also the vice-mayor of Cross City, Florida. Before that, he was a prison guard when he was convicted convicted in a state felony investigation that disclosed he had a sexual relationship with a female inmate. Since he was in a position of power over her making it difficult for her to refuse, any sort of sexual relationship was an abuse of power.
During their investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement discovered handwritten notes from Teague that made it clear the relationship was sexual. Other prisoners said they saw him kissing the inmate and one prisoner witness a sex act.
In a completely separate allegation, a prisoner said Teague solicited sex from her.
In a plea agreement, he pled to passing contraband (the notes) to the woman. He surrendered his certification so he can no longer work in Florida corrections or law enforcement. He was on probation until September 2021.
- Orlando Weekly: Top Florida GOP official was convicted in probe into his romantic involvement with inmate during his time as jail employee
- Tampa Bay Times: Florida GOP vice chair was convicted in probe into relationship with inmate
May 4, 2025