Darren Henrie (Photo from Williamson Co. Sheriff's Office)FRANKLIN, TN (WSMV) -
A Williamson County boys basketball coach and girls golf coach is facing felony charges.
Darren Henrie, 44, who is also the athletic director at Centennial High School, was arrested Friday morning on three counts of sexual battery by an authority figure.
He's accused of abusing a teenager between August 2007 and May 2009.
Schools Director Mike Looney said Henrie will be suspended indefinitely without pay until the criminal investigation is complete.
"It's a tragedy. I have a son who just started in the school system, so we put a great deal of trust in the teachers," said parent Patti Clark. "We send them to school and trust everything is going to be OK. And the fact that this can happen is very scary to me as a parent."
Henrie began coaching at Centennial after leaving Independence High School in 2009, but it is not clear who the victim was or if the victim was a student. Also, no one knows how the sexual battery charges came to light.
"Once concerns were raised with law enforcement, there was an immediate investigation, which began to bring a resolution as soon as possible," said District Attorney Kim Helper.
A Williamson County Sheriff's Office statement said they will not release any other details due to the nature of the offenses and the ongoing investigation, but anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 790-5554.
Henrie was released later Friday on $50,000 bond, and his court date is scheduled for Sept. 10.
Copyright WSMV 2012 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved
