A first-year volunteer Black Hills High School wrestling and football coach has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a student athlete.
The coach, whose name has not been released, has been booked into the Nisqually Jail on one count each of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation and communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
The Tumwater Police Department announced the arrest in a news release on Friday, March 13.
“At this time, we have received no additional reports of inappropriate behavior by this coach involving any other BHHS student athletes,” the Tumwater Police Department said in a news release.
The individual volunteered with the district's wrestling progran only during the current school year, and also served as an assistant football coach, according to the Tumwater School District. He was not a school-day employee and did not volunteer or serve in any roles outside of those athletic programs.
"When the district first became aware of the concern, we immediately followed established procedures by removing the individual from all program activities and access to students and initiating an internal review. The information was then referred to the Tumwater Police Department for further investigation," the Tumwater School District said in an emailed statement to the Thurston Chronicle.
According to the Tumwater police, the Tumwater School District notified its School Resource Officer on Feb. 25 that “they had received information regarding inappropriate behavior by a first-year wrestling coach at Black Hills High School.
The district notified the school resource officer after completing an administrative investigation and determining “the actions by the coach were possibly criminal in nature,” according to the release.
The School Resource Officer conducted a “thorough investigation,” which included interviews with multiple student athletes, the Tumwater Police Department said.
The suspect was then interviewed and arrested at the Tumwater Police Department.
"The safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority," the Tumwater School District stated. "When concerns are brought forward, we act promptly to protect students and involve the appropriate authorities. We remain committed to maintaining strong safeguards and fostering a culture where students feel safe speaking up if something does not feel right."
