Ex-debate coach arrested for allegedly having sex with a Utah student

A former assistant debate coach at East High School has been arrested on suspicion of having sex with a 15-year-old student.

The 23-year-old Taylorsville man — a former volunteer debate coach at the school — was booked into the Salt Lake County jail for investigation of four counts of sexual activity with a minor, second-degree felonies. His bail was set at $100,000.

According to a probable cause statement, the suspect, who was 21 at the time, engaged in “several sexual encounters” with the victim over a five-month period.

In a letter to parents, East High principal Greg Maughn confirmed that the alleged victim is a student at the school.

“These allegations are deeply unsettling, and we understand that you and/or your student may have concerns or questions,” Maughn wrote, encouraging them to contact the school if they are “in need of support.”