High School Basketball Coach Allegedly Had Sex With Teen Student On Campus

A South Carolina high school athletic director was accused of having sex with a student on campus of the Bethune-Bowman High School. Artis Coulter, 36, was arrested Tuesday and charged with sexual battery without coercion against a student, according to Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell.

According to his arrest warrant, Coulter engaged in sexual activities with a 16-year-old student multiple times on school property. He and the student had sex in the coach's office located inside the female locker room. The incidents occurred between March 14 and March 21.

“This took place over a period of time in March,” Ravenell said. “At no time is it appropriate for a person of authority to have any type of contact such as this with a student.”

Coulter, who was put on administrative leave since the allegations arose last week, appeared in court Tuesday for a bond hearing, and was ultimately given a $10,000 bail.

The incident came to light after a teacher's assistant was alerted and told the principal and vice-principal about the sexual activities, local media reported.

According to a police report, Coulter denied the allegations and even called the student's father to say he did not have sex with the alleged victim.

“Evidence was located supporting the allegations after Orangeburg County Sheriff’s investigators began looking into accusations that Coulter had committed sexual battery against a student of the school,” OCSO officials said. "Coulter faces up to five years in prison, if convicted."

The officials added: “If anyone has been a victim of this suspect or has knowledge of other incidents, they are asked to call the OCSO at (803) 534-3550 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous.”

In another incident Monday, a Pennsylvania high school teacher was charged after he was accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student. Michael S. Coy, 41, a Spanish teacher at York Suburban High School, was charged with three felonies — intercourse/sexual contact with a student, corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor. Authorities said the teacher allegedly had sexual intercourse with a teenage girl who was his student in the past at an off-campus location June 1. Coy was ordered to have no contact with the victim and to refrain from leaving the state until the case was resolved.