JCPS investigating how assistant coach charged with sending nude picture to student was given access to players

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – An assistant coach who was arrested for sending explicit sexual text messages to a Butler High School student hadn't completed a background check with JCPS.

According to online court documents, 22-year-old Austin Williams was booked into Louisville Metro Corrections on Tuesday afternoon. Investigators with Louisville Metro Police said Williams was an assistant coach on Oct. 1 when he sent several text messages to a 16-year-old student on the team, using the TextNow app.

The initial police report did not include the school location and at first JCPS said Williams was not associated with any school in the district. Several people associated with Butler High School confirmed to WDRB that Williams was helping the school's girls basketball team.

When WDRB again asked JCPS about his involvement with the team , a JCPS spokesperson on Monday said Williams expressed interest but never completed any employment paperwork or a background check.

"Though Mr. Williams was never hired as an assistant coach, he did have some interaction with the team," JCPS Chief Communications Officer Carolyn Callahan said in an emailed statement to WDRB News. The district says it is now investigating how Williams was allowed access to students on the team.

Williams allegedly sent a nude image to the student, asked if she wanted to engage in sexually explicit behavior with him and asked her to send nude images of herself.

WDRB News confirmed that Butler held a team meeting about Williams last week. JCPS said Williams being allowed to interact with students even though he had not been hired or completed a background check violated district policy.

Butler girls basketball head coach Lakesha Perry resigned last week, and the school named Demarcus Avery as interim coach.

"JCPS is reminding all athletics directors and coaches that adults who have not completed the background check process cannot participate in team activities," Callahan said in a statement.

Williams pleaded not guilty after being charged with Distributing Obscene Material to Minors and Procuring or Promoting Use of a Minor by Electronic Means.

Williams is due back in court Thursday. The new charge has prompted a probation violation on a domestic violence case from earlier this year.

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