Florida

Former Cross-Country Coach Accused of Sexually Assaulting Student in Gainesville

A former Tampa high school assistant coach has been arrested on charges that he sexually assaulted a teenage student while the team was in Gainesville.

The 47-year-old was in Gainesville with the cross-country team on Sept. 18 for an event, according to a Gainesville Police report. The man is a volunteer coach for the team.

The man allegedly gave the 17-year-old girl alcohol during dinner and also gave her his hotel room key to meet later for counseling, the report said. The coach is accused of giving the girl more alcohol when they met that evening and had sex, according to investigators.

The man was arrested by Tampa Police Department on Nov. 30, according to authorities.

He was transferred to Gainesville the following week where he was arrested on two felony charges of sexual assault. He was being held in the Alachua County jail on a bond of $150,000.

It seems as though we hear about sex crimes committed against children daily in the news, particularly involving coaches, teachers and counselors. Such cases are highly complicated, and, as with all sex crimes, a coach or teacher accused of a sex crime against a student may find themselves convicted in the court of public opinion way before a trial even begins.

A person convicted of a sex crime against a minor can face extremely harsh consequences that can ruin their reputation. If you have been charged with a sexual offense against a student or a child under your supervision, it is extremely important that you speak to an experienced Florida Sex Crimes Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible.

False accusations can and do happen. While sex crimes accusations can be difficult to defend, especially when the accuser is a child, it is possible to overcome these charges and regain a normal life. If you are a coach, teacher or counselor who has been accused of sexually assaulting a child or student under your authority, you need the help of a criminal defense attorney who will provide an aggressive defense without judgment. We can help – call us today at 352-264-7800 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Tue Dec 22, 9:15pm