BRONSON, Fla. — A Florida school basketball coach has been accused of sexually abusing students, according to officials.
According to WCJB, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating a case that involved two teenage boys. The case originated with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office but was transferred to ASCO after the victims were both interviewed, according to WCJB.
The boys told investigators that on separate occasions, Billy McCall, 39, allegedly invited them over to his apartment, according to WCJB.
ACSO on Facebook said that McCall over the last few months had allegedly “committed lewd and lascivious batteries” against multiple victims while working at Bronson Middle/High School as a basketball coach.
According to WCJB, McCall allegedly touched the boys inappropriately when he invited them to his apartment. McCall had allegedly also taken pictures and videos of them.
One of the boys said McCall allegedly touched him inappropriately in a hotel room during a trip to Daytona Beach, according to WCJB. The boy also said that McCall had allegedly asked him for nude photos and threatened them if they didn’t.
McCall was arrested on Wednesday on multiple charges including lewd and lascivious battery, molestation, using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and directing/promoting sexual performance by a child, according to ACSO.
The Levy County School District released a statement on Facebook following McCall’s arrest stating that they were shocked and disturbed by the allegations but they are fully cooperating with the investigation.
“We are disturbed by the shocking allegations brought against him and are fully cooperating with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office on their investigation. As always, the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority, and we are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Levy County or Alachua County Sheriff’s Office immediately. As is standard procedure, the school board conducted a full background check on McCall before he began work with the school district,” said LCSD.
The investigation is ongoing and both ACSO and LCSO are working together on the case, according to WCJB.
ACSO is asking if you have any information about this case, call ACSO’s Combined Communications Center at 352-955-1818.