Marion County Public Schools said that Ford is no longer employed at West Port High School as of Thursday, January 16. The school district said he is also not allowed on campus. OCALA, Fla. — The Ocala Police Department said it arrested a Marion County Public Schools high school football coach on Friday for unlawful […]
Marion County Public Schools said that Ford is no longer employed at West Port High School as of Thursday, January 16. The school district said he is also not allowed on campus.
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The Ocala Police Department said it arrested a Marion County Public Schools high school football coach on Friday for unlawful sexual activity with a minor.According to a news release from the police department, James Edward Ford III, 43, is facing charges of unlawful sexual activity with minors, offenses against students by an authority figure, traveling to meet a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.Ford was arrested on Jan. 17 after a school resource officer was notified of a possible inappropriate relationship between a student and the coach. Ocala police interviewed the student, who said that she and Ford began texting and talking on the phone in January 2024 and began meeting outside of the school in August 2024. The student said they had a sexual encounter in September 2024. She was 16 at the time.Ocala police said Ford was an assistant football coach at West Port High School. Marion County Public Schools said that Ford is no longer employed at West Port High School as of Thursday, January 16. The school district said he is also not allowed on campus.
Ford was arrested on Jan. 17 after a school resource officer was notified of a possible inappropriate relationship between a student and the coach. Ocala police interviewed the student, who said that she and Ford began texting and talking on the phone in January 2024 and began meeting outside of the school in August 2024. The student said they had a sexual encounter in September 2024. She was 16 at the time.According to a news release from the police department, James Edward Ford III, 43, is facing charges of unlawful sexual activity with minors, offenses against students by an authority figure, traveling to meet a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
