Detroit Middle School Basketball Coach To Stand Trial On Sex Charges Involving Teens
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A judge has ordered an assistant basketball coach at a Detroit middle school to stand trial for the alleged abuse of teenage boys.
Antoine Jones, 28, was bound over Friday to circuit court following a preliminary examination.
Jones faces second-degree criminal sexual conduct, child sexually abusive activity, using a computer to commit a crime, distributing sexually explicit matter to children and other crimes.
Prosecutors allege Jones engaged in "inappropriate sexual contact" with some of the boys he coached between November 2014 through March 2016 at A.L. Holmes Middle School. The investigation involved six males between the ages of 13 and 15, prosecutors said.
Appearing before Judge Shannon Holmes on Friday, several boys told similar stories, alleging that Jones used his authority as coach to take sexual liberties with them.
They testified Friday about the exchange of inappropriate messages and videos, and at least one boy said he was touched inappropriately. One 14-year-old testified that Jones performed a sex act on himself in front of him.
Police were notified after the mother of one of the teens discovered messages on her son's phone.
Jones has been placed on unpaid administrative leave from Holmes Elementary-Middle School.
Jones' attorney declined Friday to comment on the case.
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