Manatee County teacher arrested on child sex abuse charges, school district says
A Manatee County teacher faces charges involving child sexual abuse materials and bestiality after Hillsborough County deputies arrested him, according to district officials.
The School District of Manatee County identified the teacher as 41-year-old Daniel Armando Munive Viruet, a resource teacher at Manatee Elementary School in Bradenton, in an email to families Tuesday afternoon.
Hillsborough County Jail records show deputies arrested Munive Viruet Tuesday morning on two third-degree felony charges: possession of child sexual abuse materials and possession of an image or video of sexual activity with an animal.
The district said it placed Munive Viruet on administrative leave on Monday. He has not been on campus since his arrest and the district confirmed he will not return.
In an email to families, Manatee Elementary Assistant Principal Melissa Mayoral said the charges stem from incidents in Hillsborough County and that there is no indication any Manatee students were involved.
“We condemn the actions alleged in this case, which stand in direct opposition to the values of the School District of Manatee County,” Mayoral wrote in the email. “Our counselors are available to support students and staff as needed. The safety and well-being of our students will remain our highest priority.”
The district also urged parents and staff to contact law enforcement if they have any information to share and said it is cooperating with investigators as the case continues.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Munive Viruet remains in custody without bond at the Orient Road Jail in Tampa, according to records.
This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM.
