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Palm Bay, FL — New details have emerged in the case of Ajani McPherson, a former substitute teacher at Palm Bay Magnet High School, who was arrested on Friday, May 9, 2025, for allegedly sharing a nude photo of himself with a female student. The arrest affidavit paints a disturbing picture of inappropriate communication between McPherson and the student, leading to his arrest and subsequent termination from Brevard Public Schools.

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According to the affidavit filed by Detective Thomas Danti of the Palm Bay Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, the incident came to light when the female student, identified only as “J1,” reported receiving an inappropriate message from McPherson, whom she knew as “Coach AJ,” on the night of May 8, 2025. The communication took place over Instagram, where McPherson, using the handle “ajanilimacc,” engaged in a conversation with the student that quickly turned inappropriate.

The affidavit details that the conversation began around 2030 hours on May 8 and initially appeared casual. McPherson asked the student if she was “talking” to anyone, to which she replied that she did not have a boyfriend. McPherson responded that this was good because he “wouldn’t allow that.” When the student asked if McPherson knew her age, he admitted to being aware that she was a minor, stating he was “27.” Despite this knowledge, McPherson proceeded to tell the student he wanted to “be with her” after she was no longer a student at the school.

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The conversation took a more alarming turn when McPherson asked the student to change the conversation to “vanish mode,” a feature on Instagram that deletes messages after they are viewed, often used to conceal communication. In this mode, McPherson sent the student a full nude selfie of himself, exposing his penis, which the student reported made her feel “very uncomfortable.” She ignored the message and pretended to be asleep, hoping to end the interaction. The next morning, McPherson continued to message her, but the student did not respond. She later recorded the lewd image from another device before it was deleted, and this evidence was seized by police during the investigation.

Detective Danti interviewed the student in the Dean’s office at Palm Bay Magnet High School, where she provided a sworn statement detailing the incident. The affidavit notes that the school was about to dismiss for the day, and the defendant had not yet left the premises. After the interview, Danti observed McPherson, described as a tall Black male wearing a gray sweatshirt, in the school’s media center. When approached, McPherson agreed to speak with the detective in a non-custodial interview.

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During the interview, McPherson admitted to using the Instagram account “ajanilimacc” and confirmed he had been communicating with the student the previous night. He acknowledged knowing her age and that she was a student at the school where he substituted. McPherson also confessed to sending the nude photo, admitting he took the selfie from his bathroom at his residence and sent it directly to the student via Instagram. He claimed he knew it was inappropriate and “shouldn’t have done it,” citing that he did not intend to pursue a physical relationship with her.

Based on the student’s statement, the recorded evidence, and McPherson’s admissions, he was taken into custody and transported to the Palm Bay Police Department for booking. The investigation remains active, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Palm Bay Police Department.

In a statement released to this outlet, Brevard Public Schools confirmed McPherson’s arrest and clarified his employment status. “Mr. McPherson was not a regular substitute teacher; he hadn’t been at Palm Bay Magnet High for a month when yesterday’s arrest happened. Effective immediately, he is no longer employed by Brevard Public Schools,” the statement read. The district expressed deep concern over the allegations, stating, “We are deeply troubled by these accusations and working closely with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation. These actions are a tremendous violation of trust.”

McPherson’s arrest has raised significant concerns among parents and the Palm Bay community, particularly given his role as a substitute teacher with access to students. The case highlights the ongoing challenges schools face in ensuring the safety of students from inappropriate behavior by staff, even those in temporary roles.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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