Florida High School Teacher Charged With 10 Counts of Sexual Battery on A Student

On Tuesday in Osceola County, high school teacher Wayne McKenzie Ricks II, 29, was arrested and charged with 10 counts of sexual battery on a student over multiple occasions and locations, including a classroom closet.

According to online records, he was booked into Osceola County Jail.

Investigators at the Haines City Police Department said that Ricks and the student have engaged in sexual activities on multiple occasions since the school term began. It was reported that Ricks and the victim would meet in his classroom when he was alone, and they would have intercourse in a closet.

In the police report, a friend of the victim stated that the two had gone into the closet “on about 10 occasions” to have sex, and they would also have intercourse inside of Ricks’s vehicle.

According to WFLA, the investigation was initiated when a family member of the victim became aware of the relationship and reported it.

Haines City Police Chief Jim Elensky told reporters, “This case of grooming serves as a reminder for parents to remain vigilant about who their children are around.”

The police report stated that “Ricks would text the victim during school hours to come to his classroom and authorized passes for the victim to leave class…Ricks and the victim also spent time together off-campus, dating back to at least October. Throughout the investigation, detectives were able to obtain video of what appeared to be Ricks and the victim kissing inside the classroom.”

In October, detectives also received footage of what seemed to be Ricks and the student together at Universal Studios, and they were also seen in early January at a youth basketball game in Sebring.

Ricks had allegedly approached the student via texts and social media, made over 80 phone calls between December and January, and wrote 20 handwritten notes describing their relationship. The notes were all signed under an alias by Ricks.

He also gave the victim shoes, clothes, and workout equipment.

Ricks, who was hired by the school in August, resigned on Saturday, and police said he had no prior disciplinary action in his file with Polk County Public Schools.