Published: November 18, 2008 03:16 pm      

Coach arrested for sending illicit text messages

A Madison Middle School assistant coach and teacher’s aide has been arrested for sending text messages to a 13-year-old girl, allegedly trying to coerce her into sexual activity.

Brandon Rousey, 23, of Richmond, was arrested Monday afternoon after police began investigating complaints from parents who said the school employee was sending sexually suggestive text messages to their daughters, said Madison County Sheriff Nelson O’Donnell.

“We had a couple of complaints by parents who said he had been soliciting their daughters via text message,” O’Donnell said.

The initial complaint was reported Sunday to Dep. Stacy Cummins, O’Donnell said.

Sheriff’s deputies found Rousey about 3:30 p.m. Monday on Sara Lee Drive in Richmond and took him to the sheriff’s office for questioning.

After the interview, he was arrested, O’Donnell said.

“(Investigation) has proved illicit materials on one (victim) thus far,” O’Donnell said. “Insinuations have been made to others.”

There is no evidence that there was any sexual contact between Rousey and the victim, the sheriff said.

Rousey, who is an employee of Eastern Kentucky University assigned to Madison Middle School, is charged with the unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other activities.

O’Donnell said Rousey has been working at the middle school for about a year through a job placement program.

Madison County Schools Superintendent Tommy Floyd said Monday he could not comment about confidential personnel matters, but admitted the school system is conducting its own investigation into allegations against an extra-curricular activities volunteer.

“It is important for people to know that we do everything we can to keep our students safe,” Floyd said.

The arrest is part of a joint investigation between Detective Steve King of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and Detective Eric Long of the Richmond Police Department.

Rousey is lodged in the Madison County Detention Center in lieu of a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in Madison District Court.

Lorie Love can be reached at llove@richmondregister.com or 624-6690.