A shocking case has emerged in Polk County, where a track coach, who is HIV-positive, stands accused of grooming a 16-year-old boy before sexually assaulting him.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd revealed the disturbing details, highlighting that this is not the first time the coach has faced such accusations.
According to authorities, the student, who attends Lakeland High School, came forward and reported that 40-year-old Jarvis Young had inappropriately touched him during a Saturday outing. Sheriff Judd disclosed that Young had allegedly attempted to engage in a sexual act with the boy while giving him a massage, indicating that the coach had "groomed" the victim prior to the incident.
Following the report, Young was promptly arrested and now faces four charges related to the incident. However, what is particularly troubling is that this is not the first time Young has faced such allegations. Sheriff Judd revealed that in 2011, Young had been accused of sexually battering underage victims, but the case was dropped due to the statute of limitations.
During a media briefing, Sheriff Judd expressed his frustration, stating, "He got away with it before, and he wasn't smart enough to quit!" This raises concerns about the previous case and the missed opportunity to hold Young accountable for his actions.
In response to the incident, the school district has terminated Young's employment. School administrators have also pledged to review their hiring practices to prevent the hiring of individuals with similar allegations in the future.
Sheriff Judd did not mince words when describing Young, calling him a "predator" who exploited his position of authority for his own sexual gratification. He emphasized the need for Young to be incarcerated and never allowed unsupervised contact with children again.
Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that may help identify other potential victims. It is believed that there may be others who have suffered at the hands of this coach, and their voices need to be heard to ensure justice is served.
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