Is there any reason why she might think that you're something more than a coach to her? An uncle, maybe. Just an uncle? Okay. [music] You call me 10 times about trouble with boys. I don't want to see them get taken advantage of. Okay. I'm tugging kids on the cheek like I kiss all of them on the cheek. This is James Ford, a high school teacher. Right now, he's sitting across from a detective, [music] trying to talk his way out of a situation that should never have happened. He's currently insisting that his relationship with his 16-year-old [music] student was completely harmless. But, he had no idea that the detective is sitting on a piece of disturbing evidence he hasn't even imagined yet. And in less than an hour, his story will start falling apart piece by piece. So, talking about you wanting to taste her and Well, that was a song verse. At that time in that incident, okay. Did she perform oral sex on you? She tried. She almost did it. She almost did. So, you're going to be um charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor, okay. Um you're going to be charged with the uh authority figure cuz you were in authority figure role as a coach at the school. On Friday, January the 17th, 2025, James Ford Edward III was located at a residence in Marion Oaks, where Ocala police officers took him into custody and transported him to the Ocala Police Department for questioning. [music] His life was about to take a drastic turn. The case had started to unravel days earlier [music] when a report reached the school resource officer at Westport High School about an alleged inappropriate relationship. Once notified, Marion County Public Schools quickly terminated his supplemental coaching role on Thursday, January the 16th, 2025, and the district made it clear he was no longer employed and permanently banned from all [music] campus grounds. But, all this was nothing compared to the series of unfortunate chains of events and disturbing clandestine details that are going to come to light during the course of [music] his interrogation. What does any of these rights sound familiar to you? >> That is. Mr. Cruz, okay speaking with me? Okay. All right. So, what do you think you're here today? My legitimate reason Okay. What does that look like? On the outside From the outside, you would think there's weird stuff going on, but I've been a coach for 5 years and it's like I don't know, they can confide in me as well as the boys. Okay. Like, excuse me. Like, it looks weird, but like they come to me with problems and you know, just confide in cuz I'm easy to talk to and boys do it too and I I'm there for them basically. How long have you been coaching out there? This will be my fifth year. Fifth year? Okay. So, you've been out there for a long time. Seen a lot of kids coming and going. Yes. Okay. And do you do that full-time or do you do something else? >> No, I work. I I work for the city of Oakland. I got a job there. Okay. How long have you been doing that? 5 years. 6 5 years. So, both of them. Are you from here? Are you born and raised here? Oh, okay. A little bit more south, huh? Which one do you like better? What do you mean? Living-wise? Yeah. Yeah, it's more slower in that area. Yeah. Not not as much of a bustle, right? Yeah. Yeah. I get that. When did you come up here? From where are you? Ooh, I'm going to say I'm going to say 06. 06. Maybe 06. Okay. And I just want to um verify. I know they made contact with you at your house. Correct? That my um other detective >> That's right. Yes. Okay. And then, what is a good phone number for you? I don't know. Okay. And is that a home phone or a cell phone? Okay. Okay. Okay. So, I know you said you were you believe you were here cuz of some inappropriate possibly people think is inappropriate with the girls. Are there any girls in particular? Yes, yes. Well, am I allowed to say the name cuz I don't want to Yeah, absolutely. It's Okay. And maybe Okay. And then are these girls um do they How do you How do you I mean cuz I know you said football. Are they Do you guys have like a football like a like a fine football >> We have a girls football team. One of the girls >> [music] >> she also Yeah. So, it's like It's just I've been a father figure to her. I'm really close with her. She comes sometimes. I appreciate what me and some of the coaches have done for her in there. Just stuff being a role And like our previous head coach did ask, "Do we have to worry about that?" And I was like, "No." Father figure to her. And it's just like >> [music] >> outside looking in, you would think cuz it's weird cuz that's not my child. I have a son that goes Okay. >> And even the kids Some of the kids say, "Yes, that's coach So, it's like that. And that's referring to Okay. And how about He has a problems and She does me football. So, like she calls me uncle. And all the Well, as well as the coach Okay. And like when they have problems, they come to me. I try to put them on the right path. Not I talk to them and give it to them like they're all my kids. >> Right. So, Yeah, cuz it's tough out here. Yeah, and I don't want to sugarcoat nothing to be soft on them cuz I don't want to see them get taken advantage of and Right. >> So, we do kind of talk to them. So, if some kids do hear us talking, it's kind of how I would talk to my own kids. Okay. And then how about Playing with I don't want to say the same as that. Same. Okay. Just kind of that father figure. >> Well, no. Well, her dad's in her life. There's I'm just like a >> Okay. Who she can come Okay. And then have Have these girls been at the school and then since you've been there or did they come later on? What did that look like? Like have you had interaction with them for you four or three, four years or I met them at >> [music] >> Okay. So just at at the actual school itself. Okay. Okay. Ford, who was 43 at the time, just revealed how he positioned himself as a trusted support [music] system for his trainee. Although he does not know it yet, this disturbingly thoughtful move looks very calculated. But the detective soon steps in with direct interview tactics. What Ford does not know at this moment is that the detective is well armed with school resource reports and digital forensics, and was very much aware that he was carrying [music] a lot more baggage than he could keep hidden. I know like when you have teams and stuff you have to keep in contact with your players and things like that. Do you communicate with these girls at all on, you know, like a cell phone or is it on an app or Okay. And is that on the your cell phone >> [music] >> Okay. So you basically you have the the teams' contact numbers, they have yours, and it's just general conversations back and forth. Okay. At any point in time has there ever been, and you know, it's like we know these, you know, girls these days. Is there any time when any of this conversation maybe went a little differently than it should or something that might not be appropriate? Okay. And then how about on the text, anything on that end that you've had to maybe shut down or something nothing's popped up on their end or on your end? No. Okay. All right. Um So, when when would you say you started communicating with any of these girls over the over text just about sports or whatever? Okay. Um With the football team, we have everyone's number. So, we have group texts and I have a text saying, "I need you to do this uh Okay. Everyone knows they want to uh you know, stuff like that. Right. And basically, that's how it was. And then with the flag with the girls, I coach flag football to girls. Okay. The it's basically the girls that's about team which most of them have my number also. Okay. And I tell them to or I tell them to stop. No, you're It's like coach football when flag starts, I text them the schedule or practice starts this day or this day or whatever like that. Okay. And I know you said um you felt like people at school maybe thought a different way. When did you get knowledge that something was maybe being said? Well, last year coach had coach asked if he had to worry about and I was coach saying, "No, it's No, it's fine." Okay. And the trainer, she was kind of skeptical too, but Which coach and which trainer are we talking about? Uh is the trainer. Okay. >> And coach he's no longer there. He's at another school now. Oh, he left. Okay. Okay. So, that was last year. >> Yes. Now, what about this week? What happened this week? >> I don't know. It's I'm there. They come. They hug me. Mhm. Like normal and that's it. When did you find out something was going on this week? I called Monday night Tuesday Monday Tuesday. Tuesday? Okay. Was that from The junior head coach. The head coach? Okay. And how did that conversation >> said, "Hey, they're doing an investigation which was on the girls." I'm like, "What you mean? Like I've been like this with And he just said they're doing an investigation. Okay. >> Like something was said. Somebody went back and said they're not comfortable around me from something I said, but how we talk to them is like which I'm talking to kids. So, I don't know if another student probably heard it, thought it was inappropriate, and it wasn't comfortable, or one of the boys maybe like the girls and stuff. I mean, I don't know. Not sure. So, I want to talk a little bit about Okay. So, dealing with her, is there any reason why she might think that you're something more than a coach to her? An uncle maybe. Just an uncle? Okay. And when you say uncle, what is that What does that look like for her? Like, how do you feel like an uncle, or how would she feel like you're an uncle to her? >> Like, she'll come from the side, hug me, and like They have problems with boys or whatever, cuz They call me plenty times about trouble with boys. I don't want to see them get taken advantage of, or or just out doing stuff. It is what it is, and you know, just took getting taken advantage of, Okay. >> basically. Okay. Is Has there ever been anything on your end that would lead to believe that you were acting as something other than a family member or a mentor, as you described yourself? Like, for Christmas, I bought them all Christmas. Okay. >> I asked them what they wanted. Like, and like, I bought them what I didn't get them everything on the list that they wanted, but It was Okay. I got them you know, my stuff like that. Okay. By admitting that he is close to his trainee, Ford had unwittingly put his neck in the noose, because the detective is aware of facts that will destabilize his carefully crafted story. And have you ever sent any of them money? I know you said you bought gifts and things about >> call. How about money-wise? >> Yes, they they got bought like half of their food, $12 for this, or $15 for this, or, you know, for food, basically. Okay. And I'm like, yeah, I got to help feed them. Cuz that's what we do. I feed them. I have no problem with feeding them. I don't want them to be hungry. Yeah, I know, absolutely. And how would that work? Like, was that Did you give them cash or was it through like cash app? Okay. I don't really have any cash on me. Okay. Yeah, I don't think you need to. Yeah, it's I don't even know the last time I even had cash on me. Okay. Um so like I said, you know, I wanted to talk a little bit about Okay, cuz there's just some concerns that are go that people have, okay? I can see why. Okay. And that's what I was just kind of trying to get from you, why so much with more than anyone else, why is it that you'd be concerned? I see why. She's the one that like if I'm there she'll come up and hug and sit around. I don't see next time I go to the weight room. Okay. But yeah, she's she al- she always comes up hugs me next time I'm doing weights or talk or whatever and same as like if they're working out or whatever she's going to stop what she's doing, come hug me and ask what I'm doing. And I haven't seen her in a while cuz she was going through through a lot. She got Okay. >> Yeah. So it's been a minute. >> And that was like my second daughter, really I really took up under my wing. Okay. Um and with has there ever been anything that someone would consider inappropriate that's happened between you and her? >> Maybe I would like we would hug like she'll hug and I guess like from Any type of kissing or anything like that that someone might see? Okay. Um I guess I'll be talking to my ex basically if someone heard. Okay. The detective's very direct approach seems to have accomplished more in less than the anticipated time. The skeletons he thinks he has buried are now out there in the open. I appreciate you speaking with me. Oh yeah. Right? Um and when I talk with people I always, you know, I'm I want to be honest cuz I'm always looking for honesty, right? >> [music] >> And I know right now and you're not quite being 100% honest with me. >> I mean With Talk to me. We're here for a reason. I know. It's We're We're both adults. I've never done nothing with her. Okay. Now when you say nothing, what does that mean? No sexual stuff whatsoever. Okay. Um good and kiss on the cheek like I kiss all of them on the cheek like I look you all right you good? Mhm. How's that? Okay. So, [music] you don't think there's going to be anything or evidence of anything any different? Far as I mean We probably I mean all the time a little more feel that I ask them like how she going to act like I ask all of them like yeah you good I check on them. Okay. I'm going to Do you ever let anyone else use your cell phone? Oh yeah I let kids use my phone all the time. Okay. Yes. All right. Um so and that's what I want to talk a little bit about, okay? >> my phone all the time so I don't Um but your phone password protected? It is but once I get there I open it and cuz kids use my phone. I use my phone What is what is the password to your phone? That was fast. I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. Yeah, no you're good. I'm not very good with numbers. It's okay. Okay. So, like when you're in school you say you unlock your phone and you'll hand it to the kids to use. Okay. Is there any reason why maybe they might pretend to be you? It's a few boys that like to Mhm. And Like they be messing with my game see all the all the all the all the girls all the girls in my school though. Yeah. Do any of these kids ever take your phone home at night time? >> no no. Okay. So, that would be like a school hour typical day text. >> Okay. So, you know there's text messages at night between you and Let me use my I I'll take you text like I text all the girls. Okay. We have to talk about that. Okay, that's fine. That's what we're here for. Okay. I'm not and I'm not trying to trip you up none of that, okay? And and I think you know where we're at. And I just wanted to know how we how do we get there? And I don't know. Now I'm >> Cuz she's a she's a child. >> I'm being too friendly with them. Yeah. Like I don't want to say it like [music] I help with I'm helping them pay for I'm a sucker for you though like I'm just too nice and Yeah. You know what I'm saying? You put yourself in Yes. predicament and that's kind of you gotten yourself into a predicament. Yes and I've never been in no trouble whatsoever before I met you. Do you know what I'm saying? Cuz I I have all of the text messages between you and starting from February of last year. >> Okay. You and I both know what's in those Yes, stuff yeah. Like I've sent her songs and pictures and Okay. Yeah. And what else? This I've never sent no pictures. Well, I mean no no no I'm Well, like my birthday stuff and like I said all the pictures that I sent her were not explicit. Okay. [music] Yeah. Okay. Take your time. If you need to take a drink you can. Oh, I'm all right. Okay. What about the explicit conversations between Yeah, yeah. They're not all song What song lyrics? Listen, I know some songs. Okay. And they're not all song lyrics, are they? Not all of them. Okay. So, talking about you wanting to taste her and Well, that was a song verse. It's okay. And And she replied with a no but I can Mhm. Yeah, I just laughed but it's I've sent her said some stuff I've said like even at the school I shouldn't be saying some stuff I've been saying cuz I'm [music] just so comfortable. I don't blame you. Yeah. And just And what about I cuz I think you've developed some feelings for her. What it looks like. It's like I said from outside in. In the text. You you're going to take care of her. You're baby girl. >> I call all of them my baby girls. Like my baby girl. [music] That baby girl. It's just something I say. Okay. The interrogation takes a different turn. Ford tried to cover his tracks as much as possible and to be honest he's doing a terrible job at it because the detective is yet to lay all her cards on the table. I wanted to talk to you about an incident that occurred at the outside of the mall. What are you talking about? What are you talking about? She told me where she was. I went and asked her if she was okay. Okay. It was her birthday. Right. Then that's Who is Okay. So, go ahead. I was going to No, I was just clarifying that you >> And then she was talking about I was just going to say, "Are you good? Okay." And whatever. We talked for a little bit and she left. Then I went out to see her home. I said, "Are you good? Are you okay? Do you want to finish this tomorrow?" She said, "No." Okay. So, during that text message, can you take yourself back to that text message to where she to where you you eventually y'all met up. You ended up driving to the after telling her to go to the No, she told Well, I think yeah. Okay. So, you were at the Wawa and if she was somewhere else, so y'all are probably like at like school or something like that again. You know what I'm saying? >> was her birthday dinner. A birthday dinner? Okay. So, where was she at at the Like when y'all met? >> Oh, she was parked by the sign. Okay. Did she stay in her car or something like that? >> little bit. Okay. Did she get into your truck? Well, no. She opened the door and there. Like opened the door. Okay. And like this, got out, came around, talked, gave her a hug and Okay. Listen. I'm asking you a question. I'm being honest. I mean, we didn't do anything. Did she offer to do something to you? She And Not until that uh Santa Monica Mhm. She didn't just come out and say whatever, but you know, she was like, "I'm not doing a lot of anything." A lot of it. Yeah. Yeah. So, at that time in that incident, okay? Did she perform oral on She tried. She almost did. She almost did? What does that look like? Walk me Walk me through that. >> No. Okay. So, when no, like, did the act begin and then did it was >> Uh yeah, that's it. I'm like child. You stopped? Yes. And is that would you say that's the only misconduct that >> Yeah, yes. you had with her? Yes. Okay. And then I know we had talked a little bit before about whether some kissing and stuff maybe one time like in the locker room No. something happened with Locker room We never We were never alone with those girls in the locker room. Okay. There's always a coach there with There's always somebody there. Okay. Bowden knows that he is cornered. The detective knew way more than she was letting on and was using the facts at her disposal one time to shatter his well-crafted wall of lies. Regardless, he has so much to lose [music] and now he needs to find a lifeline, something to throw the interrogation off track or at least mitigate the consequences of his evil affair. Um I'm going to step out for just a second. Do you need anything right now? You sure? Okay. I just want >> Just water. Okay. Talk to me. Uh can I water? I know what is going to Am I going to get booked for You are under arrest. And this is going to for It's going to be a sex offense with them involving a It's a minor. So, I have to register and all that now. It's It's going to depend on where it all goes. So, potentially, yes, sir. Yeah. I'm not going to lie to you. Yeah, that's fine. Um I'm going to lose my job. Like, I'm going to be de-booked all weekend, right? You're So, you'll go in you'll have a no bond cuz it's a no it's a no bond initially. But when you see the judge in the morning at first appearance, the judge will give you a bond at that time. Okay. And then if you're able to get a bondsman or whatever and post that bond and get out, then you'll just have to attend your court dates. I'm talking about which would would if I could it might be tomorrow tomorrow night. >> Sure. It just depends how quick you know, I would say once you get to first appearance and you get on the phone, start calling the bondsman or I don't know if you have Well, my mom will Well, yeah, she will. Now, will y'all release all this information to her or is that my what I tell I think you should tell her. Okay. Yeah, I'm not going to tell your mom. You're an adult. Yeah. So, you're you know, you're a You got it. Your business is your business, right? It's not for me to tell, you know. Was he getting in any kind of trouble in any kind of way? What do you think that she get in trouble for? Talk to me [music] about that. Cuz of him being inappropriate with me. Okay. And being too close. I don't know what I mean. You know, you're a dad, right? >> Yes. Is that a bad thing? >> You're a dad. Yes. So, let me ask you this. You said you have a son and he's same age? So, if let's role reverse, okay? And I'm being I just want you to kind of see it from a different point of view. Okay. Would you want your son Do you think that your son should be held accountable for behaviors when there's an adult that clearly had a lapse of judgment as an adult and in my eyes took took advantage of a child? That's what you're saying. Right? So, would it be fair for them to get into trouble? I mean No, not really. Or should you have Mr. said I can't say. This isn't This isn't right. >> isn't right. I shouldn't do this. Yeah. Right? You're a mentor. You told me you're a mentor for kids. >> Yep. That's why I'm just going to know what happened. I mean nice young man, you got a good job. And that's what I'm afraid of, losing everything. There's a lot of women out here. Yeah, but that's what I'm afraid of, losing everything. Yeah. Which is good, but I'm possibly being what might happen. I mean I don't I don't know. Yeah. Yeah. It's not a not a good situation to be in. Yeah, with kids. Yeah. And I've been coaching at this club for years. Yeah. So, I know we have your I'm going to end up writing a search warrant on your cell phone. Okay. Um am I going to find anything else with other juveniles, minors? No. Nothing else like that going to be anywhere on there? No, the police searched it and no, no. Okay. All right. So, you want to give consent to search your phone? I'm not saying you didn't tell me to, but if not, you have a Huh, I mean you you If you want to sign a consent form, I'll get you to sign the consent form and we can do that. If not, we just write a search warrant on it and we go from there. And then I say [music] how long? It depends. It depends on how much data is on your phone. Um right now it'll be seized as evidence anyway. So So How long will it No, how long will it take? If I get bailed out tomorrow, I'm not able to take my phone. No, sir. No. So, how would Yeah, I kind of want to What if I do the search warrant? Yeah, come on, do this. I'll just write a search warrant on it. I mean it's easier. It's you know, we'll we'll get it knocked out that way. Um cuz it will be held pending on the case cuz it's it's evidentiary, so we can't get rid of it. Cuz it like I said, those text messages obviously were coming from either cell phone. Um yeah, from either to her. So, that's just part of the case and that's kind of where we're at right now. Okay? The detective eventually left him alone in the interrogation room and the answers he has given made one thing clear. He has crossed the Rubicon and he will never be able to turn back the hands [music] of time. But he thinks that the interrogation is over or at least most of it. But the detective has one last card to lay on the table and it's something that's going to need a god level genius [music] to evade. I'm honest with you and I want you to be honest with me. You know where we're at and unfortunately this is Where it's at? Where it's at. Yeah. So hopefully you know Now I have a question like I want to get booked. Now I'm a registered I'm registered as a So that would be after like if if there's any type of conviction or something like that >> Before I get Could it potentially Well that would be like at the end when it's over. I didn't hear anything. I'm sorry. No No that's okay. So when the when the case commences So when the case ends when it's over. So whether the state decides to you know move forward file the charges depending on what you if they offer you a plea deal if you decide you want to have your day in trial you can take it to trial. Oh. Um at the very end is >> on TV. Yeah is when they would decide are you going to be a registered >> So what about the charges when do they when are they filed? So you're going to be um charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Okay. Um you're going to be charged with the uh authority figure cuz you were in authority figure role as a coach at the school. Uh-huh. Um you're also going to be charged with uh travel to meet a minor for sex on the All of that is going to be on my charges? It's going to be on listed on your charges. Yes. >> a lot of Wow. And then misuse of the two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. Got you. Yeah. Also this is a felony? They're all felonies. They're all Damn. I might lose my job. I mean I ain't like I'm out in the streets. My mom is not going to worry about that. Yeah. Yeah. But yeah based like I said you know just based off of everything that we have everything we have in the phone the statements you know the conduct >> Yes. and activity with each other you know it's you know, before we go before we go. Okay. >> I think he's a nice and I talked to him. Yeah. I mean, I'm listen, I I treat everyone as if, you know, and anything can happen with anyone, you know, people things happen. You're right. Yeah. So, you know, it's not my job. I've never been the the mean cop. I'm not that person. Yeah, like I don't want to be a mean cop like that. I've never been in this situation. I've never been detained for nothing. Yeah. Now, and like I said, I really appreciate, you know, No, it's good. I appreciate you and, you know, your honesty and it's it's a it's a tough spot and I get that, you know, and of course you could have not been as pleasant to deal with as you you are. You know, that's something you should be grateful. >> I got to the jail, like, man, this only cop when they came I was Yeah, that's Yeah, complain. And that and that goes a long way. So. I got to go now talk to him as well. I'm going to go get everything's going to take place in transport and Yes. Yeah, we'll get you transported to the jail, they'll book you in, and then >> Does that mean I have an hour or do I have to wait a couple of hours? No, no, no. No, I'm going to go work on I got to get a paper a first paperwork done and then I'll bring the rest out to the jail later that way there's no delay in you having to hang out. Okay. Okay. Um while you're in booking you'll have access to the phones for free. So, that's when you can call mom or I have a question. Being with her out of area code is out of county, how do I call them? It should be I think it's the the same as at the jail. I think even though it's long distance you should still be able to have a free call. I have I have one call? Oh, no. As long as you're in booking as the phones are open Oh, as long as I go so I can just hit one and then dial her number? I believe so, but that's going to be I don't know how the phone works in the jail so. Yeah, it's probably on the wall or something over there. So, but then once they move you back to a pod where you'll stay for the night, then you'll either have to have money on your what they call a canteen or let somebody use something, so. What happens with the mic like when you call? Right, like over yeah, cuz once you go back into the back and then you don't have to have money to call out unless someone lets you use their their cell, so. How do I get money? Uh your mom would have to figure out how to get it onto the account. But you know, it's up to you. I you might want to wait and see what your bond's going to be in the morning and how quick mom can get that going. >> have a question. How would I find out what my bond will be? It's going to depend on the judge. I'm going to be honest with you. The judges are not very lenient. >> With this situation, I don't really know cuz I wouldn't need to be. Yeah. So like okay, so for instance, the bond is say $150,000. Mhm. That's not $150,000 I have to pay. You have to >> No, you have to have 10%. Which is like 15,000 up front and then you got to have 15,000. >> 15,000 15,000? 15,000. At this point, Ford is beginning to see that his reality is now haunted by his awful past and there's no outrunning what was about to hit him. With this situation, what will our bond be? It It ranges. It just depends. Sometimes it's 65,000, sometimes it's a little bit lower. Okay, so 65,000 would be 5,000? 65 10% of 60 You're making me do math. I don't have I'm a college graduate. >> [laughter] >> Like 65 would be something like that. So um yeah, 10% and then there has to be that collateral to cover the risk. >> [music] >> So. How far like she have to give them something? Yeah, collateral something like collateral whether it's a car or a house, something that way if you were like Oh, so like if I was to skip out on your bond >> would seize that. >> Right. >> [music] >> So then the bond would come back and and take that collateral. But then still I still have to Yeah, yeah, you still have to face You got to You got to face what it is, right? Yeah. Yeah. Don't know how this happened, but we're here now. Like I said, it's kind of pretty. Yeah. First offense and this what it is. I would rather be having a dope charge. Yeah. Two kids, I know, I know. Yeah. Yeah. Not not not a not a fun thing, I I'll tell you. All right, let's Let me get that paperwork done and then get you out of here, okay? >> much. Yes, sir. Following his interview with Ocala police, James Edward Ford III's situation collapsed fast and ended [music] in a prison sentence by March 2026. He had initially been booked on four felony counts, but as [music] the case moved forward, prosecutors dropped the communication-related charges and he entered a no contest plea to three: unlawful activity with the youngster, offenses against a student by an authority figure, and traveling to meet a person under the legal age of consent for unlawful intimate activity. Back in January 2025, Judge Barbara Kistner Kwiatkowski had set his bond at $35,000 and assigned him a public defender. And although he was released with strict conditions, no contact with witnesses or juveniles except his own son, the walls kept closing in. By March the 25th, 2026, the sentence [music] came down: 10 years in prison, mandatory registration as an offender, and the permanent loss of his education [music] certificate. And the deeper the case went, the worse it got. Evidence showed that he had given the student money and told her to delete messages to cover his tracks while his earlier excuse that the texts were just song lyrics quickly [music] fell apart under pressure. At the same time, the school district had already moved without hesitation, cutting ties immediately and banning him from all campus [music] grounds, making it clear that both the law and his profession were done with him. This video reflects information available at the time of production. While every effort was made to ensure accuracy, some details may have been limited, evolving, [music] or subject to change as new developments emerged.