ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — An assistant coach for the MICDS junior varsity boys basketball team was charged after police said he sent sexual messages to students over Instagram.
Lee Bogan Jr. was charged with two counts of first-degree harassment and one count of furnishing pornographic material to a minor for messages he allegedly sent messages to two students.
One of the students reported receiving sexual messages and pornographic photographs from Bogan to the MICDS administration in March of 2024, according to charging documents. A second victim came forward during the investigation to report receiving similar messages and photographs from Bogan over Instagram.
Charging documents said Bogan was a contracted basketball coach. According to a page on the Missouri State High School Athletic Association website, he was an assistant coach for the boys junior varsity basketball team for the 2023-24 season.
Years ago, 5 On Your Side captured video of the 6-foot-5 former Jennings High basketball standout on the court. The 27-year-old would eventually go on to serve as an assistant coach at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School in Ladue.
"It is disturbing," said Cynthia Danley who heads Safe Connections, a group that talks with young people about consent and boundaries. "This was a boundary they knew this person crossed."
She's glad the students spoke up and wants others to do the same if they encounter this.
"Most abusers will threaten the child or tell them don't tell that this happened or 'if you tell I'm going to do something to your parents', things of that nature so don't let that stop you from telling or making it known what this abuser did to you," she said.
"Unfortunately this is not as uncommon as we would like it to be," said education consultant Dr. Ian Buchanan.
"You're a school administrator, this happens, it comes across your radar, what do you do?" 5 On Your Side asked.
"I'd probably cry because a student has been violated," Buchanan said. "While the person accused deserves due process, our number one job as educators is to be fierce protectors of our children."
Bogan was charged Tuesday with two counts of felony harassment and one count of furnishing porn to a minor, which is a misdemeanor. He is being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center. A judge set his bond at $150,000, cash only. He's ordered not to be within 500 feet of any school.
MICDS provided the following statement:
"Mr. Bogan was a contracted, non-faculty assistant basketball coach for our Upper School boys basketball program. He worked seasonally at MICDS for a period of approximately three seasons, but was not an employee at the time the alleged misconduct came to light. Nevertheless, the School responded to the situation as soon as it became aware of any alleged misconduct. Student safety is always our top priority. MICDS is cooperating with the investigation and continues to take all steps necessary to support its students and community."
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