Ann Arbor Teacher/Coach Snared As Suspected Sexual Predator

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI — A 57-year-old Ann Arbor teacher and coach who allegedly sought sex with an underage girl was arrested Wednesday by the Macomb County Computer Enforcement unit in Clinton Township. Gerald Holley was charged with three felony counts of Child Sexually Abusive Activity, according to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.

Holley is employed as a teacher and coach at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, police said. In an email statement to Patch, Ann Arbor Public Schools would only confirm that Holley is an employee.

“Gerald Holley is an employee and is on administrative leave,” said Andrew Cluley, Ann Arbor Public Schools director of communications. “This is a personnel matter and we have no further comment.”

Biographical information from aapioneerathletics.com indicates that Holley is a biology teacher at the school and was the head baseball coach from at least 1995-2004. It also says that he was a coach at Hastings High and at Dearborn St. Alphonsus High, though dates are not listed.

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On Monday, members of the Macomb Sheriff’s Office unit were tipped off that Holley was acting as an alleged child sexual predator, police said in a news release. The unit started an investigation, and one of its officers went undercover and began talking to Holley via social media.

A meeting was arranged in Clinton Township for Holley, who thought he would be hooking up with an underage girl for sex, police said. Macomb County Sgt. Renee Yax wouldn’t specify where the location was or the type of facility. Holley was arrested after showing up at the location.

"As often occurs in cases such as this, this man pursued a career which surrounded him with young people," said Macomb Prosecutor Eric Smith. "I urge parents to remain vigilant of all those who supervise their children, even longstanding 'authority' figures. The predators are out there, and they make it their business to get right next to your kids."

Besides the Child Sexually Abusive Activity charges, Holley will also face one felony count of Computers – Internet – Communicating With Another to Commit Crime. Each count of Sexually Abusive Activity carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and the computer crime carries a maximum penalty of 15 years to life.

Holley was arraigned in the 41-B District Court in Clinton Township on Thursday and given a $50,000/10 percent bond. He will be forced to wear a tether if he makes bail. A probable cause hearing will held on Oct. 25 at the district court.

Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said the bust shows how valuable the computer crimes unit is.

“In order to protect our children, these highly trained investigators continuously monitor the internet as well as social media platforms to find these predators,” he added.

Photo courtesy of the Macomb County Sheriff's Office