Lakeland Track Coach Sexually Battered Student, 16: Sheriff

LAKELAND, FL — A Lakeland High School track coach is accused of performing oral sex on a 16-year-old student last month after taking him out for lunch and promising to help him with strength training, according to Polk County authorities.

Jarvis Young, 40, was arrested Thursday and charged with multiple counts including sexual battery of a minor, lewd and lascivious behavior and abuse of a child without bodily harm. Authorities said Young, who is HIV positive, was also charged with not informing a sexual partner of his diagnosis.

At a news release Friday, Sheriff Grady Judd called the case "remarkably disturbing."

According to Judd, an investigation into Young began after the student reported the incident to a school resource officer at Lakeland High School.

Authorities said the student initially asked Young to help him with weightlifting and strength training. According to Judd, Young went to the student's house on Saturday, Aug. 26, where he picked him up and took him out for lunch. Judd said Young then took the student back to the boy's house, where they set up weight equipment.

Later, Judd said Young asked the student to accompany him to the high school to set up more equipment.

Once they arrived at the school, Judd said Young offered the boy a massage after claiming he was a certified massage therapist. Judd said during the massage, Young touched the boy's genitals and briefly tried to perform oral sex on him before the boy jumped up and stopped him.

Judd said the student reported the incident to authorities the following Monday.

According to Judd, Young was suspected of having sex with two minors at a hotel in 2011. He was charged, but the case was later dismissed due to Florida's statute of limitations.

In 2017, another juvenile told Lakeland police that Young had touched his thigh and unzipped his pants before the boy ran away, authorities said. No criminal charges were filed in the case.

According to Polk County Public Schools, Young is no longer involved with the district. School officials said he worked as a volunteer coach and was paid a stipend.

Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Fred Heid called the case "deeply disturbing."

"I am extremely troubled that he was involved with our school system in any capacity," Heid said in a statement.

Heid continued, "PCPS will be conducting a thorough investigation into how Young was allowed to become a coach for Lakeland High. We also will be pulling a list and re-screening coaches who work with PCPS students, as well as other individuals who work with students in extracurricular programs. Furthermore, we intend to increase the frequency of our background checks and add extra measures to evaluate any past reports of inappropriate behavior."

Because of previous incidents, Judd said authorities "strongly believe" more students may have been victimized by Young.

"It's imperative that if your child has been battered or inappropriately touched (by Young) that you report that to us as soon as possible," Judd said.

He added, "We're going to believe you. We're going to protect you."

Additional victims who choose to come forward should contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.