Men
Henry Anderson, Dean at Lake Weir Middle arrested, accused of sexually battering student
Investigators believe there may be other victims after a high school track coach and dean at Lake Weir Middle School is accused of groping a youngster at the school. the Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports.
Henry Anderson, 40, was detained on Thursday after deputies claimed he gave contradictory replies when asked about the allegations.
The victim contacted the sheriff’s office on Thursday, according to records. She claimed Anderson, the varsity track and field coach at Lake Weir High School, had picked her up at her home at 10 p.m. on Wednesday for a workout, according to deputies.
Deputies also said they had no idea how he got into the school so late or what regulations the school had in place that would allow instructors to arrive so late.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the girl claimed Anderson led her to the school’s weight room, where the two completed a leg training program.
The victim claimed Anderson then offered her a leg massage, which she claimed was nothing out of the ordinary, but that this time the coach started touching her improperly, including removing her shorts.
When the man left the room, the victim called her friend on her telephone, according to deputies. The timestamps on those communications, according to investigators, helped to confirm the victim’s version of what happened.
A janitor also spotted the victim and Anderson in the gym that night, according to deputies.
According to records, the girl then requested to be sent home. The coach allegedly tried to persuade her to continue the massage, but she eventually left around 1:30 a.m.
Anderson initially told deputies that he picked up the girl at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, but later revised his tale to claim it was 9:45 p.m.
According to the affidavit, he also claimed to have a strong rapport with the victim, though he later claimed that she was furious with him for not allowing her to compete. Records reveal Anderson even claimed the girl threatened to dismiss him.
These admissions, according to deputies, contradict Anderson’s assertion that he and the victim had a good relationship.
He also denied ever leaving a message for the victim, though documents show he later admitted that the crew did use a handheld massage gun on occasion.
Deputies inquired if he had utilized that on the night of the event. Anderson initially yelled “Yes,” then changed his remark and said he had no physical contact with her, according to investigators.
Anderson was subsequently brought to the Marion County jail and jailed.
He is charged with sexual battery on a victim aged 12 or older but under the age of 18.
He is also “on paid administrative leave pending the outcomes of law enforcement and school system investigations (and) not allowed on any MCPS property,” according to the school district.
Anderson was hired as a paraprofessional at West Port High School in November 2016 before being transferred to Forest High School in August 2017 as an Autism Spectrum Disorder instructor, according to school officials.
Arrest Information:
