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Tampa high school coach accused of sexual misconduct with two students

Hillsborough County Schools said he has been placed on administrative leave pending termination.
Credit: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

TAMPA, Fla. — A coach at Tampa Bay Technical High School has been arrested and accused of sexual misconduct with two students.

Reginald Lawrence, 48, was charged on Tuesday with 12 counts of Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor. He is listed as the student success coach on Tampa Bay Tech's guidance staff page on the school's website. He is also listed as the head coach of the school's varsity girl's basketball team.

The first instance, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was in 2009, when Lawerence is said to have called a then-student into his office and closed the door before exposing himself to the student. He is also accused of placing the student's hand on his genitalia.

Then, in 2016, the sheriff's office said Lawrence had sexual relations with a student six different times at his home. At the time, the student attended Tampa Bay Tech and has since graduated. 

Lawrence is currently being held in jail.

The sheriff's office asks if you have any information on this case or who may have been victimized by Lawrence, to call them at 813-247-8200.

"Students trusted this man as their coach, and as a parent myself, I am absolutely disgusted," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Nobody should ever have their childhood ripped from them as this young victim did. After years of suffering, I applaud the victim for coming forward so this man could face the consequences for his despicable actions." 

Hillsborough County Schools said Lawrence worked for the district since 1999 and had no previous complaints or investigations. The district confirmed he was the student success coach at Tampa Bay Tech and the girls' basketball coach.

“We are shocked and deeply troubled by these charges. Our parents expected this individual to protect their children and he broke that trust. He will not be returning to our campus and is on administrative leave pending termination," the district said in a statement to 10 Tampa Bay.

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