Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced the arrest of 37-year-old Kashaundra Knowles of Fort Lauderdale, following an investigation into a large-scale proxy-testing operation. Knowles is accused of impersonating multiple individuals to sit for the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) on their behalf, enabling unqualified candidates to gain employment in public schools.
The investigation, initiated in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education and testing provider Pearson VUE, utilized palm-vein biometric analysis and photographic evidence to link Knowles to fraudulent test attempts between 2024 and 2026. Authorities noted that Knowles’ own 2018 biometric baseline served as the key evidence in confirming her identity as the proxy.
“If you try to cheat your way into Florida’s classrooms, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will hold you accountable,” Attorney General Uthmeier stated. Department of Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas emphasized that the scheme compromised the integrity of the state’s education system, noting that several individuals who utilized the service were already employed by or seeking positions within Broward County Public Schools.
Knowles faces charges of organized scheme to defraud, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and money laundering. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in state prison. Prosecutors indicated that the investigation remains active, with further arrests anticipated as authorities review the scope of the fraud.