Erin Hill
Gadsden County News Service
A former Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy is accused of sexually abusing multiple students over two school years, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Leon County.
Sedale Canidate, who previously served as a school resource deputy in Gadsden County, faces seven felony charges, including two counts of sexual battery by a law enforcement officer, one count of indecent or lewd and lascivious touching of certain minors, one count of lewd and lascivious conduct, and two counts of attempted solicitation of lewd or lascivious conduct.
The affidavit states the investigation began Nov. 10, 2025, after a teacher reported that two female students said they were uncomfortable with recent interactions involving Canidate. According to investigators, the students initially said they were “scared” but later alleged Canidate had made sexual advances toward them.
One student told investigators Canidate bought her snacks and other food, asked her to come to his office alone and made sexually explicit comments. Another student alleged Canidate asked whether she would have sex with him in exchange for a vape pen and told investigators he blocked her in a hallway and made her uncomfortable through repeated interactions.
As the investigation expanded, additional students came forward.
According to the affidavit, one student reported Canidate attempted to persuade her to engage in sexual activity after bringing her to his office. Another former student, who was 18 when interviewed, alleged Canidate touched her inappropriately while she was in his office and later had sexual intercourse with her after giving her rides in his patrol vehicle. She also alleged he requested oral sex, asked her to send nude photographs of herself and gave her money while instructing her not to tell anyone.
Investigators also interviewed other students who alleged Canidate made inappropriate comments, requested phone numbers, offered gifts or food, and asked girls to come to his office alone. Several students reportedly told investigators they decided to report the alleged behavior after realizing similar incidents had happened to multiple girls.
The affidavit states investigators with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement executed search warrants in December 2025 at Canidate’s school resource office and collected evidence. Authorities also obtained buccal swabs from Canidate and searched his cellphone.
During an interview with investigators after being advised of his Miranda rights, Canidate acknowledged purchasing snacks for students and asking some to come to his office but denied making inappropriate sexual comments. He denied having sexual intercourse with one of the students. When investigators later asked whether he had engaged in oral sex with the student, the affidavit states Canidate requested an attorney, ending the interview.
The affidavit also states FDLE laboratory testing found semen on evidence collected during the investigation and concluded part of the sample tested positive for semen, with Sedale Canidate identified as a contributor.
Investigators said they had received no further communication from Canidate or his attorney before seeking an arrest warrant.
Canidate previously served as a school resource deputy in Gadsden County after working briefly as a police officer with Florida A&M University, according to the affidavit.
Canidate was arrested July 10 by the U.S. Marshals Service in Tallahassee. Following his arrest, Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young said Canidate had not worked as a deputy since the latter part of 2025 and that he immediately signed Canidate’s termination notice.
In a previous statement, Young said, “Canidate will have to deal with the consequences of some poor and heinous choices. And if he’s convicted he should be locked away for life.”
The case remains pending. As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Canidate is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
