BRADENTON, Fla. — The Manatee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) said a 42-year-old high school football coach was arrested for soliciting sexual contact with a female student.
MCSO said a parent of a 16-year-old student reported to officials that Lagarius Spikes made sexually explicit comments to the student, solicited sex while in his office and later sent additional explicit text messages.
Spikes is an assistant football coach and a Graduation Enhancement Tech at Bayshore High School in Bradenton, the School District of Manatee County confirmed. Enhancement Tech.
Detectives gathered evidence and established probable cause to arrest and charge Spikes with soliciting sexual battery by an authority figure, per the report.
Deputies said Spikes was arrested on the morning of Nov. 18 at his home in Palmetto. The School District of Manatee County said he has been placed on administrative leave.
Statement from the School District of Manatee County provided to Tampa Bay 28:
"The School District of Manatee County has been notified that Lagarius Spikes, a Graduation Enhancement Technician and assistant football coach at Bayshore High School, was arrested early today, November 18, on the charge of soliciting sexual battery by an authority figure. The School District immediately placed the individual on administrative leave. We are fully cooperating with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Child Protective Services as they conduct their investigation. The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. The allegations in this case are deeply troubling and stand in direct opposition to the values of our school district. Counselors are available to support students and staff as needed."
This is an ongoing investigation.
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