Horror as school principal is caught choking, slapping and whipping young student with charging cable at a Florida private school as cops arrest him for child abuse five years after he was charged with sexually abusing another child

A Florida principal and self-proclaimed 'beacon of integrity and faith,' is in police custody after he was recorded choking, slapping and whipping a student with a charging cable at the private school where he worked. 

Dontay Prophet, 33, was imprisoned as recently as the summer of 2023 when he violated probation in relation to a separate charge of sexual abuse of a child. 

Prophet is the principal of the Destiny Leadership Academy in Ocala, just north west of Orlando. The horrifying footage was recorded on May 10. He was arrested just a day later. 

Video captured by security cameras and released by the sheriff's office begins with him talking with the child, eventually the two apparently struggle. 

Prophet grabs the young boy, holding him on the ground with his legs, choking and then hitting him in the face with a cable, causing an injury and twisting the child's ankle, authorities alleged in a criminal complaint. 

Video captured by security cameras and released by the sheriff's office begins with him talking with the child, eventually the two apparently struggle

Prophet grabs the young boy, holding him on the ground with his legs, choking and then hitting him in the face with a cable, causing an injury and twisting the child's ankle, authorities alleged in a criminal complaint

Police say that the child was held in the room for around 40 minutes

A teacher who heard the screaming reported the incident which led to the footage being uncovered

Destiny Leadership Academy's executive principal Dr. Elvira Higgins has refused to comment publicly as to how Prophet wound up in such a high profile role at the school

Police say that the child was held in the room for around 40 minutes. A teacher who heard the screaming reported the incident which led to the footage being uncovered.

According to the Ocala Star Banner, investigators described the boy in the video as being 'shy' and 'scared' when he was interviewed. He complained having a sore hips and said he was hit in the face with a computer charging cable. 

His mother told police that her son had not reported the incident to her.  

In addition to the abuse video, a clip of his arrest was also released by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. 'I don’t know if you know this or not, but there’s a security camera in that room,' the arresting officer says. 

'There is?,' Prophet asks. 'Yeah... and it caught everything on camera. Everything,' the officer continues. 

He told investigators that he got physical with the child to get his attention and said the child was trying to hurt himself. When first contacted by detectives over the phone, Prophet made the same claim. 

Despite his claims, he was swiftly charged with aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment of a child under 13.

Previous reports show that Prophet was also arrested in May 2019 after he was accused of sexually abusing a minor he met in 2017 when he worked as a camp counsellor . 

As a result of those allegations, he was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a child and attempting to commit interfering with child custody. 

In addition to the abuse video, a clip of his arrest was also released by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. 'I don’t know if you know this or not, but there’s a security camera in that room,' the arresting officer says

Previous reports show that Prophet was also arrested in May 2019 after he was accused of sexually abusing a minor he met in 2017 when he worked as a camp counsellor

A private meeting between administrators and the parents of students was held on Monday

 In 2022, he planned to plead no contest to the charges but later subsequently changed his mind. As a result of that, his case was considered a felony sexual offense which could have carried with it a 15-year prison sentence.

At that time, it was reported that Prophet worked at a school and that he was suspended without pay.  

In June 2023, Prophet was found to have violated his probation by failing to check in. A month later, the case was closed with one charge dropped and the court determining that he could not be convicted on the other charge. 

As a result of his probation violation, he was sentenced to 90 days in prison.  

Destiny Leadership Academy's executive principal Dr. Elvira Higgins has refused to comment publicly as to how Prophet wound up in such a high profile role at the school. 

A private meeting between administrators and the parents of students was held on Monday, reports Fox35. 

The Ocala Star Banner reports that Prophet began working in the education in the community in 2009 as a behavior technician and paraprofessional. He resigned in 2019 shortly after being put on administrative leave. 

On his personal website, Prophet referenced his 2019 arrest.

'Donnie's unwavering dedication to his community was put to the test in 2019 when baseless accusations of sexual misconduct surfaced, tarnishing his reputation.'

He describes himself as having emerged from the incident 'victorious' but without specifics and adds that he maintained his innocence throughout. 

In a biography section of the site, Prophet attributes a fawning tribute to a 'prominent politician.'

'Donnie Prophet's leadership is a beacon of hope in our community. His passion for excellence and his tireless advocacy for those he serves make him a true champion of change,' it reads without citation. 

In closure, Prophet says that he plans to 'pursue' a law degree 'very soon.' 

Prophet studied at Western Governors University, Santa Fe College and Southeastern University, according to the site.

In 2017, he ran for school board in Marion County where he won 15,000 votes.  

At the time of writing, Prophet is being held at the Marion County jail without bond. He's due in court next on June 11.