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According to News 4 Jax, a former St. Johns County School coach is facing multiple charges of sexual battery for incidents that allegedly took place while he was employed at Bartram Trail High School located at 7399 Longleaf Pine Pkwy, St Johns, FL 32259.
Tylar Fredrick Sydow Reagan, 27, was arrested Friday August 12, 2022. Reagan has been accused of having sexual relationships with at least two former students while he was the assistant coach for both weightlifting and track and field teams at the high school. He is also said to have volunteered at Pedro Menendez High School, located at 600 FL-206 West, St. Augustine, FL 32086.
Allegations first surfaced in 2018 when a student reported to the Pedro Menendez High School principal that she received inappropriate text messages from Reagan. Reagan was barred from access to the school following the accusations.
One victim was only 15 when Reagan was her assistant coach through the weightlifting program. She alleged that Reagan sent nude photographs and sexual messages through text and social media. The two allegedly began having sexual intercourse on the school campus in June 2017. These incidents were said to have happened as many as 30 times.
The other victim met Reagan when she was 17 through a private gym in 2016. The girl was also on the weightlifting and track and field teams. Her account was very similar to the first, with the encounters beginning with texts and social media messages. However, in April 2017, the victim claimed the relationship became sexual. The encounters were said to have occurred at least six times and inside a storage shed on the school's campus.
A former student from Bartram Trail High School said there were many girls with similar experiences. She has given evidence including nude pictures from Reagan to the investigators. Reagan faces two counts of sexual battery and is out on bail.
Attorney contributor Michael Haggard files lawsuits for school sex abuse victims and their families in the state of Florida. Michael recently discussed the legal options available to victims sexually abused by a high school wrestling coach.
"Schools are legally responsible for ensuring their students are safe from preventable dangers. This commitment is especially important in regard to athletic programs. Too often, we are hearing reports of predators gaining employment within school athletic departments. These positions of power and trust allow them to take advantage of students during exercises. Schools and their administration have a hefty responsibility to make sure the coaches and staff have been thoroughly vetted with background checks. Additionally, reports of any misconduct should be forwarded to the authorities for investigation. Cameras and proper security sweeps could also help reduce the risk of sexual misconduct on campus."
"When a high school coach is accused of sexual misconduct, officials should look at the coach and the school. It is important to determine if the school could have prevented the abuse or if negligence was a factor. The victim and their family may have grounds to file a lawsuit in a negligent security case. To fully understand their legal options, victims and their families should consult with an experienced school sex abuse lawyer."
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