UPDATED: 2 school employees among 13 arrested in child sex investigation (PHOTOS)

By Tom Mclaughlin
NWF Daily News
October 26, 2015

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/20151026/NEWS/151029429

James Patrick Applegate (left) and Cameron Ahlsen Girard

Adam Chay Bairos

Chad Michael Keiser

Darin Roger Paddie

David Allen Royce

David McCleod

Two employees of Saint Mary’s Catholic School have been charged with using a computer to seduce a child and traveling to meet the victim.

James Patrick Applegate, a part-time school band director, and Cameron Ahlsen-Girard, a substitute teacher for Saint Mary’s School and volunteer with the Saint Mary Catholic Church youth ministry, were arrested over the weekend.

Okaloosa County deputies took Applegate into custody Saturday on charges of using a computer to solicit or seduce a child and traveling to meet a child after using a computer to solicit or seduce.

Ahlsen-Girard was arrested Sunday on the same charges.

Parish Administrator Father John Licari sent a note Sunday to the parents of children at the school, faculty and staff, parents of children in the youth group and people who work with the youth.

“We are concerned. The news is disturbing,” Licari said.

In the letter, Licari said the arrests of Applegate and Ahlsen-Girard “appear to be separate incidences.”

It calls on those contacted to speak to investigators if they have information “regarding either of these individuals.”

“The safety of our youth is paramount importance to all of us here at St. Mary’s,” Licari’s letter said.

Licari said Applegate had been in contact with children last week.

He did not know about Ahlsen-Girard’s recent contact with young people at St. Mary’s.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office declined to release arrest reports for the two men Monday morning, citing an ongoing undercover operation.

Applegate and Ahlsen-Girard are among a total of 13 arrested in Okaloosa County over the weekend on charges of using a computer to solicit or seduce a child and traveling to meet a child after using a computer to solicit or seduce.

Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Nicole Wagner said more arrests could be made as a result of the ongoing investigation.

Ahlsen-Girard also was employed at the Emerald Coast Science Center as its director of programs and events.

Dianne Fraser, the Science Center director, said Ahlsen-Girard had worked at the center for about a year. Most of his work involved putting together programs and events, and fundraising.

“He wasn’t an educator. He did not work with kids,” Fraser said.

Previous coverage

FORT WALTON BEACH — Two employees of Saint Mary’s Catholic School have been arrested on charges of soliciting children.

James Patrick Applegate, a part-time school band director, and Cameron Ahlsen Girard, a substitute teacher for Saint Mary’s School and volunteer for the church’s youth ministry, were taken into custody over the weekend.

Okaloosa County deputies took Applegate into custody Saturday on charges of using a computer to solicit or seduce a child and traveling to meet a child after using a computer to solicit or seduce.

Ahlsen Girard was arrested Sunday on the same charges.

In a letter sent to parents of Saint Mary Catholic School, Parish Administrator Father John Licari, said the arrests “appear to be separate incidences.”

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office declined to release arrest reports Monday morning, citing an ongoing undercover operation.