Haines City Teacher Arrested For Sex With Student: Police

POLK COUNTY, FL — A former Haines City High School teacher was arrested Tuesday night in Osceola County for sexually engaging with a student multiple times, a police news release said.

The suspect, Wayne Ricks II, 29, faces charges of custodial sexual battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and 18, detectives said. The sexual activity he is accused of began in fall of 2020 at the school.

According to investigators, Ricks would have the victim come to his classroom while he was alone and the two would have sex in a closet. Another student and friend of the victim were in the classroom at the same time and told police they saw the two walk into the closet together about 10 times. Ricks is accused of texting the victim to during school hours to go to his classroom, and would authorize passes for the victim to leave class.

Video shows Ricks and the victim kissing inside the classroom, deputies said. The victim told authorities that they also had sex inside of Rick's vehicle. Another video shows the two together at Universal Studios during Halloween Horror Nights in October. Witnesses told police they observed the two together at a youth basketball game in Sebring in early January.

The suspect wrote more than 20 letters to the victim that detailed their relationship, and were signed under an alias, investigators said. More than 80 phone calls were made between the two in less than a one-month span from Dec. to Jan. Ricks gave gifts to the victim such as shoes, clothes and exercise equipment.

Ricks resigned from the school Jan. 23, authorities said.

"This case of grooming serves as a reminder for parents to remain vigilant about who their children are around," Chief Jim Elensky said. "We appreciate the hard work of our detectives and the cooperation we received from Haines City High School, Polk County Schools and the Osceola County Sheriff's Office throughout the investigation. We will work diligently to make sure this predator is held responsible. If there are any additional victims or if anyonehas any further information, we encourage them to contact 863-421-3636, ext.2239."