In mid-January 2025, 43-year-old James Edward Ford a high school assistant coach and self-proclaimed mentor walked into the interrogation room in shackles. The accusation he faces is beyond belief. All right. So, why do you think you're here today? My relationship with one of the girls Okay, what does that look like? From the outside From the outside, you would think it's weird what's going on, but I've been a coach for 5 years and it's like I'm a 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 Sure. >> do it, too, and I'm I'm there for them, basically. How long have you been coaching out there? This is 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 work for the city of McCalla. I drive a garbage truck. Okay. How long have you been doing that? 5 years, 6 years. In the US, the law prohibits any sexual or romantic relationship between coaches and students under 18. And it wasn't just a relationship of trust and authority. That illusion shattered when a school resource officer learned of an alleged illicit relationship with a 16-year-old student. But wait till you hear Ford's version. It made things even darker. Okay, so I know you said you were here you believe you were here because of some inappropriate possibly people think is inappropriate with the girls. Is there any girls in particular? Yes, it's Well, am I allowed to say the name cuz I don't want to >> Yeah, absolutely. It's Okay. And And then are these girls um do they How do you How do you I mean cuz I know you said football or they do you guys have like a football like a girls like a flag football or >> plays flag football team. One of the girls plays [clears throat] flag. She also plays tackle football. Okay. Wow. Yeah, so it's like It's just I've been a father figure like a lost her father. Okay. And even her grandmother I'm really close to her grandmother and all, and she calls me all the time to I what me and the some of the other coaches have done for her, been there, the stuff, the being that role. And like our previous head coach did ask, "Do you guys have to worry about that?" And our coach is like, "No, it's like she lost her dad. He's like a real father figure to her." And it's just like outside looking in, you would think cuz it's weird cuz that's not my child. I have a son that goes Oh, okay. And even the kids, some of the kids say, "Yes, that's coach Ford other than the bonus daughter." So, it's like that. And that's referring to A coach is someone who pushes, guides, and teaches lessons no one else can. But there are boundaries, lines never to be crossed. Yet around 11.7% of high schoolers experience this misconduct by educators and coaches. And in the case of Ford, he didn't just blur them, he erased them entirely with how fatherly he chose to be. And how about She's a football player. She comes to me with her problems, and she just made a fly from her flag football. So, like she calls me "Unc." And all the Well, all the other stuff, they'll call me "Unc." They'll call me "Unc." And like when they have problems, they'll come to me. I try to steer 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 none of this stuff on them cuz I don't want to see them get taken advantage of, and Right. >> So, we do kind of talk, and 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 Same with I'm the same as them. Same. Okay. Just kind of that father figure. >> her dad's in her life. It's just I'm just like that. >> Okay. Who she can come confide in. Okay. Like if they have problems. 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, [clears throat] you know, four, or three, four years, or >> them Okay. Yeah. So, just at at the actual school itself. >> yeah. Okay. >> boys and the boys are the same. Like I have one player, he says I'm more of a dad to him than his own dad. Okay. And so, it's just like I'm mentoring, basically with all I thought I was doing right. Detectives kept pressing forward for answers. At [music] first he dodged, painting himself as a protective mentor to not just her, but all. But this isn't an isolated case. [music] The US Center for SafeSport received 8,098 complaints in 2024 alone. As for Ford, he wanted to make sure no one else could take advantage of the girls apart from him. Yeah. And I know so 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 >> Nah, they'll text me, "Coach Ford, I need uh or like their problems or can I talk [clears throat] to them about this? Can they can I help them out with this or this and that or stuff like that. Okay. And so you basically you have the the teams' contact numbers, they have yours, and there's just general conversation 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 >> But if you was to look at it and don't know the ins and outs of it, you would think that though. They'll come hug me and be up under me and stuff like that. So it looks weird cuz the trainer say or something and but it but it's not like that. 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? Nope. Okay. He painted himself as more than a coach, father, friend, therapist, even beyond school grounds, blurring every professional line. Above all, being an authoritative figure. The misconduct is considered a felony by the Connecticut law regardless of the student's age and consent. 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, "Hey, I need you to do this." Uh Okay. >> ask what numbers they want or 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, the girls. Okay. The it's basically the girls basketball team, which most of them have my number also. Okay. And I tell them to text me, "Coach, I'm sorry." I cut you off. No, you're good. >> me like, "Coach, what winners flag starts?" So, I text them the schedule. Practice starts this day or whatever like that. Okay. And I know you said um you felt like people at school maybe felt a different way. When did you get knowledge that something was maybe being said? Well, last year coach head coach asked did he have to worry about and I was going to say, "No, it's No, it's fine." Okay. And the trainer, she was kind of No matter how much he pressed it, this was not normal. Coaches are barred from any personal contact with student because consent cannot erase the inherent power imbalance. And even if it was all so normal, what happened next was worse. Not this week. What happened this week? >> I don't know. It is 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 with the school? >> a I got a I got a call Monday night, Tuesday Monday Tuesday. Tuesday? Okay, was that from the new head coach. The head coach? Okay, and how did that conversation >> He just said, "Hey, they're doing an investigation with you with some of the girls." I'm like, "What you mean? Like, I've been like this with And 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 they said, but how we talk to them is like we talk to them kids. So, I don't know if another student probably heard it, thought it was inappropriate and they wasn't comfortable or one of the boys maybe like the girls and saw I mean Just days earlier, several students admitted they'd felt uneasy about the coach's relationship with the girls, especially one 16-year-old. The truth crystallized when authorities spoke to her and her account of months-long misconduct was chilling. 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? Uh uncle, maybe. Just an uncle? Okay. And when you say uncle, what does that What does that look like for her? Like, how do you feel like an uncle? How would she feel like you're an uncle? >> hug me, come from the side, hug me. And like if she had problems with boys or whatever cuz they've called me plenty times about trouble with boys. I don't want to see them get taken advantage of or just out doing stuff. It is what it is and you know, they just took getting taken advantage of. Okay. Basically. Okay. Is Has there ever been anything on your end that would lead me to believe that you were acting as something other than a family member or mentor as you describe yourself? Like for Christmas, I bought them all Christmas. Okay. Asked them what they wanted cuz like and like I bought them what I didn't get them everything on the list that they wanted but I told them they could get them, you know. Sure. I'll be the person like This so-called friendly grooming pattern is nothing new across the country. Many coaches have been caught misusing their authority. In Paola, Kansas, a 46-year track coach with similar relationships of self-proclaimed guardian was arrested with multiple aggravated assault charges on not one, but multiple minors. Her parents didn't want to go to her tournament camp in Orlando. Who Who's that? Okay. I went with her to the football camp, talked to the coaches for them. And things of you know, like stuff like that. Okay. And have you ever sent any of them money? I know you said you bought gifts and things but how about money wise? How about money wise? Yes, if they got borrowed like $5 for food or $12 for this, or $15 for this, or you know, for food, basically. Okay. I'm like, yeah, I got you. I'll feed you. Cuz that's what we do. I feed them. I don't have no problem with feeding them. I don't want them to be hungry. Yeah, I know, absolutely. And how would that look? Like, was that Did you give them cash, or was it like cash app? Okay. >> can't 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 is there so much with more than anyone else? Why is there so much concern? >> I Well, she's the one like if I'm there, she'll come up and hug and stay around. I don't see So, I go to the weight room. >> Okay. But yeah, she's She She always comes up, hugs me, asks how I'm doing, we talk or whatever, and same Once they're They're working out or whatever, she's going to stop what she's doing, come up. Ford wasn't just dodging blame. He subtly shifted fault onto the students, citing their conduct. But a few hugs alone wouldn't have triggered such serious concern. [music] Has there ever been anything someone would consider inappropriate that's happened with >> Maybe how we hug and how we hug. Maybe how I would like when we 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 how I would talk to them, I guess, basically, if someone heard it. Okay. And that's why we're here. Um and like I said, Mr. Ford, I appreciate you speaking with me. Oh, yeah. Right? Um and when I talk with people, I always, you know, I'm all I want to be honest, cuz I'm always looking for honesty, right? And I know right now you're not quite being 100% honest with me. >> I mean, Talk to me. We're here for a reason. I know. It It look like we adults. I mean, I've never done nothing with her. Okay. Now, when you say nothing, what does that mean? No sexual stuff whatsoever. Okay. Um hug, and a on the cheek, like I kiss all of them on the cheek. Like, "Uh you all right? You good?" Mhm. And that. >> [music] >> School officials, students, and others had all noticed the uncomfortable physical contact Ford had with his female students. And contrary to his claims, he was the one initiating it. But the next piece of evidence officers uncovered was even more alarming. You don't think there's going to be anything or evidence of anything any different. As I mean we probably me takes me probably takes them a little more. She would ask how I'm doing, ask how she doing. Ask like I ask all of them. Like, "Yeah, you good?" I check on them. Okay. Or whatever. Do you ever let anyone else use your cell phone? Oh, yeah. I let kids on my phone all the time. Okay. Yes. All right. Um so, and that's what I want to talk a little bit about, okay? >> on my phone all the time, so. Um is your phone password protected? It is, but once I get there, I open it and cuz Coach Ford, I use your phone. I use your phone and So, like when you're at 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 like to Mhm. And like they be messing like they ain't see always run to Coach Ford. They Why do all the girls always run to Coach Ford? Yeah. Do any of these kids ever take your phone home at night time? >> no, no, no. Okay. So, that would be like a school hour typical day texts. Okay. So, you know there's text messages at night between you and Kennedy. Who is now? It's I'll take their little texts. Like I take some of the girls. We have to talk about that. Okay, that's fine. That's why we're here. >> Okay. I'm not and I'm not trying to trip you up or none of that, okay? Officers retrieved text messages dating back over a year, messages exchanged at all hours asking to meet, video call, and engage in conversations that were anything but normal. In Florida, the law on unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony makes it illegal to use phones, radios, or similar devices to plan, coordinate, or carry out a felony. Misconduct with a minor is in this case is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. I think you know where we're at. Mhm. It [clears throat] And I just want to know how we How did we get there? And I don't know. Now, I'm Cuz cuz she's a she's a child, right? >> Sorry, I'll be a little friendly with her. Yeah. I'll be a little friendly with her. I don't I want to say it like I helped with her mother consent, I helped them pay for her to get her a voice line. Like stuff I shouldn't be doing. Like I'm just too nice. And Yeah, that's way too nice. You get what I'm saying? >> put yourself in Yes. predicaments and that's kind of where you've gotten yourself into a predicament. >> Yes, and I've never been in no trouble whatsoever for 20 years of my life, sir. 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 texts. May I send her songs and verses and Okay. Yeah. And what else? Just I've never sent her no pictures. Well, I mean no no no I'm Well, like my birthday stuff and like I sent all the kids stuff like that, but nothing explicit. This was just the start of him trying to cloak his actions. It reeked of narcissism. But as soon as he sensed officers knew more than they were letting on, he rushed into justifications. What about the sexually explicit conversations between you >> Oh, the song verses that I shouldn't have have, yeah. They're not all song verses. But look, I know some songs. Okay? Yes, ma'am. And they're not all song verses, are they? Not all of them. Okay. So, talking about you know, wanting to taste her and Well, that was a song verse. I'll treat that as so. >> Okay. And and she replied with a no, but I can Mhm. Yeah, I just started laughing. But yes, I shouldn't have said some of the stuff I was saying, like even at the school I shouldn't be saying some of the stuff I'd be saying. Cuz I'm just so comfortable around them. Yeah. And just And what about I cuz I think you've developed some feelings for her. Is what it looks like. It's like I said, from the outside in. In the text, right? From the outside in. From looking at the outside. You were going to take care of her. She's your baby girl. >> Oh yeah, I call all of them my baby girls. Like all of them are baby girls. That one's a baby girl. It's just something I say. Okay. I wanted to talk to you about an incident that occurred at the outside of the Waffle House. You know what you're talking about? What can you tell me about that? She told me where she was. I went out to make sure she was okay. Okay. He didn't stop there. Ford even asked her to be his Valentine, repeatedly assuring her she wouldn't get into trouble. The child, unaware of the weight behind those words, complied. [music] And that's when Ford pushed things further. And then as she was let's talk about her problem and I said, "You're good, okay?" And whatever. We talked a little bit and she left. Then I went out to see her home. I said, "Are you good? You okay? You want to bring 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 Waffle House after telling her to go to the Waffle House. Is that right? >> No, she told well, I think yeah. Okay. So, then you were at the Wawa and then she was somewhere else. So, y'all were probably like just left school or something like that. It came maybe >> was a birthday dinner. A birthday dinner, okay. So, where was she at at the Waffle House? She was parked when y'all met? Oh, she was parked by a little sign. Okay. Did she stay in her car or something like >> out and talked. Okay. Did she get into your truck? Well, no, she opened the door and there like opened the door. Okay. I sat in it like this. She got out, came around, talked, gave her a hug and Okay. When the victim's brother transferred to a different city, Ford began inserting himself deeper into her family's life, trying to claim the role of a godfather. Soon he was calling her to meet in fast food parking lots and what happened there was yet another chilling account. Mr. Ford. I'm asking you to be honest. I'm being honest. I mean, we didn't do anything. Did she offer to do something to you? She and not into that saying it but I'm Mhm. She didn't just come out and say whatever but you can tell like not you know how to read between the lines. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So at that time and that incident, okay. Did she perform oral sex on you? She tried. She almost did. She almost did? What does that look like? Walk me Walk me through that. She said, "Okay, let me just start it." And no. Okay. So with no like did the act begin and then it was >> It just started to begin but then I had to Yeah, cuz it's I'm like your child. You stopped? Yes. Detectives could hardly believe how effortlessly he shifted blame onto the victim. And although she didn't exactly resist, Ford persisted, further escalating his advances. Is that would you say that's the only sexual conduct that Yeah, yes. you had with her? >> Yes. Okay. And then you I know we had talked a little bit before about was there some kissing and stuff maybe one time like in the locker room? No. Something happened with Locker room I would never know we were never alone with those girls in the locker rooms. Okay. Cuz I was like a coach there with there's always somebody there. It was easy for a coach to slip into the locker room unnoticed and Ford exploited that. Everything was out in the open, the chats, the testimonies. Ford had no way to escape now and so he finally gave up. What surfaced next wasn't guilt, [music] it was fear for himself. I cannot well I know where this is going with the little I'm going to get booked for You are under arrest And this is going to be as of for It's going to be a sex offense with a involving a minor. >> It's a minor. So, I have to register and all that now. But, it's going to depend on where it all goes. Now, >> But, potentially, yes, sir. Yeah, I'm not going to lie to you. And that's fine. Um What about my job? What do I I'm going to be be 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. Now, will y'all release all this information to her or something I want to tell her? I think you should tell her. Okay. Yeah, I'm not going to tell your mom. You're an adult. So, you're you know, you're uh You got it? Your business is your business, right? It's not for me to tell you know, it's not like you're a child and I'm going to Just when it looked like he'd accepted his mistake, he threw a question at the detective revealing just how detached from reality he truly was. No, will you get her in any kind of trouble in any kind of way? What do you think they should get in trouble for? Talk to me about what. Basically, being inappropriate with me. Okay. >> And being too close. I don't I mean Now, you're a dad, right? >> Yes. That's the bad thing. >> You're a dad. >> Yes. So, let me ask you this. You said you have a son, and he's same age? 17. >> 17? So, if let's roll reverse, okay? And I'm being [clears throat] I just want you to kind of see it from a different point of view. Uh-huh. 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 it took advantage of a child? [clears throat] I see what you're saying. Right? So, would it be fair for them to get into trouble? I mean This was an unreal level of victim blaming, an active attempt to ensure that the victim faced punishment for being manipulated by him, and it only got worse. Or should have Mr. Ford said I can't this isn't this 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 wondering what happened. I mean nice young man, you got a good job. And that's what I'm afraid of losing that. 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 going to possibly be what might happen with my job. >> Potentially, yeah. I mean I I don't know. Yeah. You know. It's not not a good situation to be in. Yeah, it's not with kids. No. And I've been coaching at this 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 No. Any any other juveniles, minors? No. Nothing else like that? Going to be anywhere? I can we can search it now. No. Okay. Despite the devastating impact of his behavior on his young victims, Ford remained fixated on himself and his job, but action had to be taken. So, what am I charged with? What am I what am I called? 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 Oh, that's going to be on mug shots? It's going to be on listed on your charges. Yes. >> That was all about Wow. And then misuse of the two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. Got you. Yeah. Oh, so this is a felony? They're all felonies. They're all Damn, y'all might lose my job. Well, I mean I ain't like I'm not even worried like she's my mother's not worried. I'm not worried 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 sexual conduct >> Yes. and activity with each other, you know. It's, you know, so this is where we're at. I don't know how this happened, but we're here now, you know, like I said, just got to pray and Yeah. face the facts, and this is what it is. I would rather be having a dope charge Yeah. than kids, I know. Yeah. Yeah, it's not not not a not a fun thing, I I'll tell you. Ford was swiftly removed from Marion County Public Schools and immediately barred from campus. He was booked for unlawful activity with a minor, offenses against students by an authority figure, traveling to meet for illegal reasons, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. Court records show prosecutors later dropped the communication charge, while Ford pleaded not guilty to the remaining counts. The case is pending in court. If this case had you at the edge of your seat, don't forget to hit like, smash, subscribe, and turn on the bell. For more twisted cases just like this one, make sure to watch the next case right here. >> [music] [music]