Crime & Safety

Bloomingdale High Teacher Accused Of Soliciting Hitman

James Jules Pepe, a teacher at Bloomingdale High School and a resident of Providence Lakes in Brandon, was arrested at the school today, facing a charge of solicitation to commit murder, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

 

A Brandon man and Hillsborough County School District teacher was arrested at Bloomingdale High School today, Sept. 27, facing a charge of solicitation to commit murder.

James Jules Pepe, 55, of 1850 Providence Lakes Blvd., No. 907, was arrested at 1700 Bloomingdale Ave., according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office's jail report.

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  • The Plant City Police Department reported that Pepe, a history teacher, attempted to hire an out-of-state associate to kill Robert Meredith, a teacher from Plant City, according to a Tampa Bay Times report.
  • Updated Patch coverage: Former Students React to Arrest of Bloomingdale Teacher for Trying To Hire Hitman

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Bloomingdale parents received an automated voicemail message alerting them to the arrest of the teacher and that the incident did not involve the students, according to a mother of a student who contacted Brandon Patch to report the incident. She said no name was given in the automated message, nor the nature of the alleged offense.

Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A review of jail booking records shows that Pepe was arrested on a warrant that alleges one charge of solicitation to commit murder.

Pepe is described as a white male, 6-foot-1, 330 pounds, with brown eyes, gray hair and medium build.


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