Florida teacher accused of having sex with student in classroom closet

HAINES CITY, Fla. — A Florida high school teacher is accused of having sex with a student on multiple occasions, including in a classroom closet, authorities said.

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Wayne McKenzie Ricks II, 29, was arrested by Osceola County authorities on Tuesday and charged with 10 counts of sexual battery on a student between the ages of 12 and 18, Haines City police announced Wednesday. He was booked into the Osceola County Jail, according to online records.

Ricks, who resigned as a teacher on Saturday, was an exceptional student education (ESE) teacher and junior varsity basketball coach at Haines City High School, The Ledger of Lakeland reported.

Ricks began his career with Polk County Public Schools on Aug. 31, the newspaper reported.

According to investigators with the Haines City Police Department, Ricks and the student had engaged in sexual activity several times since the school term began last year. Ricks and the victim would meet in his classroom when he was alone, and they would have intercourse in a closet, WTVT reported.

According to a police report, a friend of the victim who was in the classroom said the two walked into the closet “on about 10 occasions” to have sex, and also would have intercourse inside of Ricks’ vehicle.

The investigation was prompted after a family member of the victim became aware of the relationship and reported it, according to WFLA.

“This case of grooming serves as a reminder for parents to remain vigilant about who their children are around,” Haines City Police Chief Jim Elensky told reporters.

“Ricks would text the victim during school hours to come to his classroom and authorized passes for the victim to leave class,” the police report stated. “Ricks and the victim also spent time together off-campus dating back to at least October. Throughout the investigation, detectives were able to obtain video of what appeared to be Ricks and the victim kissing inside the classroom.”

Police said detectives also obtained video of what appeared to be Ricks and the student together at Universal Studios in October, and they were also seen at a youth basketball game in Sebring in early January,” The Ledger reported.

Ricks also allegedly contacted the student via texts and social media, made more than 80 telephone calls between December and January, and wrote 20 handwritten notes detailing their relationship, the newspaper reported. The notes were signed by Ricks under an alias.

According to police, Ricks also gave the victim shoes, clothes and exercise equipment.

Ricks had no prior disciplinary action on his school file, the television station reported.

“We appreciate the hard work of our detectives and the cooperation we received from Haines City High School, Polk County Schools and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office throughout the investigation,” Elensky said. “We will work diligently to make sure this predator is held responsible.”

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