Well, well, well, if it isn't yet another far-right evangelical Christian getting arrested for sexually victimizing children after making a career accusing LGBTQ+ people of being "groomers." Every accusation is a confession, as they say.
Aaron Craig Gleason is a Christian writer who has written several anti-LGBTQ+ articles for outlets like The Daily Wire, The Federalist, and The Imaginative Conservative in which he has painted queer people as latent child molesters.
He was arrested January 28 in Okaloosa, Florida, on child molestation charges.
Gleason made a name for himself as an anti-LGBTQ+ crusader in part by sharing a video from Pride celebrations in 2023 in which drag queens chanted, "we're here, we're queer, we're coming for your children."
Some drag queens involved clarified the obvious at the time—that it was a tongue-in-cheek, joking reference to the constant accusations of pedophilia and "grooming" leveled at LGBTQ+ people and drag queens by conservatives.
Gleason, of course, pretended not to understand the joke and held it up as proof that the accusations were true, a take that was also amplified by right-wing figures like Tim Pool, who was part of a sweeping dragnet of right-wing media influencers found to be on the payroll of Vladimir Putin last year.
In any case, Gleason is now accused of “lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12 by a person over the age of 18” and was held in jail on a $75,000 bond.
In addition to his writing career, if it can be called that, he has also worked as a coach and teacher at Rocky Bayou Christian School in Crestview, Florida.
On his LinkedIn profile, Gleason states:
"I see myself as primarily an educator. I am a Christian and a Conservative."
"I think that everything I do needs to be connected to openly serving my Lord and Master Jesus Christ. He gave his life for me and I need to give my life for him.”
These words certainly align with the school's stated mission "to glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by serving as His instrument."
Gleason's alleged actions are of course another story.
In an email to parents, the school's superintendent Mike Mosley wrote:
"I regret to inform you that one of our Middle School teachers was arrested today by local law enforcement officers...
"RBCS is fully cooperating with authorities in this matter until authorities have concluded their investigation. Please pray for our school and students during this difficult time.”
Mosley noted that Gleason has been put on paid leave during the investigation.
On social media, Gleason's arrest has of course generated a lot of attention and criticism for those who amplified his views, like The Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro.
Say it with us, good and loud for those in the back: Every accusation is a confession. Good luck in prison, Mr. Gleason.
@islamoradalover/Bluesky
@hillbillybluedog/Bluesky
