ALLEGAN COUNTY, Mich. – A boy’s junior varsity basketball coach at Martin High School is facing two felony charges related to sexual misconduct after sending lewd messages and images of himself to one of his own players.
Martin High School JV basketball coach Raymond Brenner, 24, is being charged with two felony charges: accosting a minor for immoral purposes and the use of a computer to commit a crime. Brenner is a former Martin High student and basketball standout.
Allegan County Undersheriff Frank Baker said that they were notified by the family of one of his players of some photos allegedly sent by him early Sunday morning. He was arrested after an investigation.
Superintendent of Martin Public Schools Dr. David Harnish commented on the allegations today, saying parents and students were understandably shocked, but the investigation isn’t disrupting the school’s day-to-day learning.
“Certainly when we received the news it was shocking to begin with,” said Dr. Harnish. “We had to make adjustments - making sure the coaching staff was taken care of. Students were informed as appropriate but we also made sure to continue business as usual; educating kids, keeping kids safe here at school.”
The school system sent out a letter to parents detailing the origins of the charges, but both they and local law enforcement have remained tight lipped on the specifics of those messages.
For now, Brenner has been placed on administrative leave and could face further disciplinary action pending the results of the investigation.
“I certainly want to think that things will get sorted out and hopefully, just like you and I would want due process to take place, I want to think that people do make mistakes,” said Dr. Harnish, “and hopefully this is really just an error and mistakes.”
