STARKE— A sworn complaint filed by the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office said the victim of sex crimes involving a Bradford High School coach lied to investigators.
On Monday, Sept. 20, Bradford High School varsity volleyball coach Lanie Kay Rodgers, 24, was arrested for engaging in lewd conduct with a student and sending sexually explicit text messages to the same student. Rodgers also served as an assistant coach with the school’s softball team.
Bradford Sheriff’s Detective James Crews wrote in the complaint, part of the state’s case against Rodgers, that allegations were made in May surrounding the victim and the coach, but an ensuing investigation resulted in no charges because of a lack of physical evidence.
Sheriff’s Major Brad Smith said that during the May investigation, the victim denied any sexual contact between herself and the coach.
Smith added that the victim’s parents also vouched for Rodgers, telling investigators the coach was a family friend.
“We interviewed Lanie as well, and she denied any sexual relationship with the student,” said Smith. “What was different this time was that there was a second witness.”
That second witness turned out to be another student, who saw a sexually explicit message on her friend’s cell phone. The witness reported the message to Principal Angela Ward, who along with Superintendent Will Hartley, forwarded the information to School Resource Deputy Adam Woodham.
Crews wrote that he then interviewed the victim on Sept. 16, who again denied any sexual contact with the coach.
“(The victim) stated, ‘she only helps me with sports , and helping me get to college,’” wrote Crews.
The investigator then interviewed Rodgers who admitted to having a close, intimate relationship with the student, and to exchanging sexually explicit text messages.
However, the coach denied ever having sexual contact with the student. She also denied exchanging any explicit photos.
Crews wrote that he then went back to the victim armed with the information he obtained from Rodgers.
“(The victim) first stated she was very sorry for lying to all her friends and family,” wrote Crews. “She just didn’t want to get Rodgers in trouble.”
Crews added that the victim said she and Rodgers became very close while Rodgers was helping the victim with softball, always hanging out together and going places after practice.
“(The victim) stated she and Rodgers would exchange dirty text messages and talk as if they were in a relationship,” wrote Crews. “(The victim) also stated she and Rodgers made out/kissed many times.”
According to Crews, the victim said that at one point, Rodgers sent to the victim a naked picture of herself via text message.
A search of Rodgers’s cell phone indicated she was aware of the increasing danger surrounding the relationship.
“The messages included multiple intimate text messages between Rodgers and (the victim), and multiple messages with Rodgers telling (the victim) ‘we can’t talk anymore’ and ‘since (expletive deleted) is still out of hand,” reported Crews.
More investigations ongoing
Smith said the sheriff’s office is investigating additional claims of Bradford teachers involved in sexual relationships with students.
He added that the office is aware of several teachers of whom rumors and gossip are circulating.
“We take the allegations seriously and are trying to develop cases,” he said.
Superintendent: coaches resigned
Hartley said that Lanie Rodgers, in addition to weightlifting coach Autumn Brooke Rogers were placed on administrative leave and subsequently resigned.
The weightlifting coach was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 22 for charges similar to those of Lanie Rodgers.
“We are fully cooperating with the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office and will continue with our own internal investigation, as well,” Hartley said on the district’s website. “We have offered counseling services for our students at any time, if needed.”
“The safety of our students is always our top priority and there will be zero tolerance for those that choose to jeopardize our students’ well-being,” he continued. “As always, we encourage anyone that has any information that may assist us in the protection of our students to please contact us.”
