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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A former Indianapolis private high school boys' basketball coach was sentenced Friday to 14 years in prison for trying to entice a 15-year-old student to have sex with him.
A federal judge ordered the prison term for former Indianapolis Park Tudor School coach Kyle Cox, who pleaded guilty in May to a charge of coercion and enticement.
Prosecutors sought the 14-year sentence under the plea agreement, while defense attorneys asked for a 10-year term.
Authorities say Cox was 31 when he sent sexually explicit online messages, texts and photos to the female student and tried to arrange for her to visit his home in the Indianapolis suburb of Fishers for sexual activity while his wife and children were away in mid-December.
Cox told the judge that he's lost family and relationships "that I may never reclaim."
"I am truly sorry for causing pain," he said. "There is not a day that passes that I do not feel an enormous amount of shame for my actions."
U.S. District Judge Larry McKinney wasn't persuaded, citing the continuing electronic communication between Cox and the student for his sentencing decision.
McKinney said Cox's use of computers made the enticement more easily done and more effective, while also making his crime a federal offense.
Cox coached the school's basketball team to state Class 2A championships in 2014 and 2015. He resigned in December after the girl's father reported the allegations to school officials.
Cox has been in federal custody since he was charged in February.
U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler said Cox violated his position of trust and authority over the girl at the exclusive private school with about 400 students in grades 9-12 on the city's north side.
"Schools should be places of safety for children where they can grow, learn, and make mistakes without falling prey to teachers or coaches who turn their innocence into illegal sexual opportunity," Minkler said.
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