ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A Pattonville High School coach and substitute is behind bars after facing a judge in his first court appearance Wednesday morning.
The day prior, 45-year-old Corey Lewis was arrested on charges related to sexual contact with a former student, who was 16 at the time.
Lewis is a Pattonville High School permanent substitute and coach. He is the head coach for girls basketball, the assistant coach for girls track & field, as well as an assistant on the football coaching staff.
5 On Your Side spoke to the district spokesperson Wednesday evening who said Lewis will be put on unpaid administrative leave.
These accusations stem from the very first year he started, in August 2012.
Charging documents said this occurred between August 2012 through December 2013.
Maryland Heights Police Department's lead detective Ben Berges works on crimes involving children.
Berges told 5 On Your Side on Oct. 31, the department was contacted by the Pattonville School District.
"They informed us of a student that was going to make a report to us. She graduated in 2013," Berges shared. "(She) talked about a sexual relationship she'd had with the coach and teacher at the school when she was still in high school."
Berges said the victim had some proof but couldn't disclose what it entailed.
According to a probable cause statement, Lewis admitted to police about having sexual encounters with the victim.
Lewis is charged with second-degree statutory rape, second-degree statutory sodomy and five counts of sexual contact with a student by a teacher or school administrator.
In Missouri, statutory rape second-degree involves someone 21 years of age or older having sexual intercourse with another person who is less than 17 years of age.
Amy Robins is the manager of forensic services and operations at the Children's Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis.
Robins said it's quite common for children and adults to delay their disclosure of abuse. She explained there could be many reasons why.
"One of those could be that they finally have processed that trauma, that experience. Sometimes it's that they don't even know it, in fact, that was wrong, so they have then learned that is not normalized behavior," Robins pointed out. "Sometimes it means they have to distance themselves further away from their perpetrator in order to feel safe and supported to disclose."
Berges believes no matter what, coming forward is brave.
"She's very brave for working through a lot of this trauma she's had since this happened and into her adult life. She's done a very good job at helping us with this investigation and getting this person away from possibly victimizing other kids at the school," Berges shared.
Berges encourages anyone else to come forward.
He said right now there is no evidence of any more victims, but that there could be a possibility.
"Without victims coming forward and making reports and getting these people away from kids is the only way we're going to be able to stop crimes like this," Berges shared.
The Maryland Heights Police Department is asking for the public's help and urging anyone with information to contact them at 314-738-2310 or bberges@marylandheights.com.
Lewis told a judge on Wednesday he applied for a public defender and he'll have a bond hearing on Nov. 27.
Lewis is currently being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond at the St. Louis County Jail.
This was the message Superintendent Dr. Barry Nelson shared to Pattonville families:
"Dear Pattonville families,
"As a district, we believe it is important to communicate openly with our families, and that is why I am writing today to provide you with information about a sensitive situation.
"This afternoon, Maryland Heights police arrested a staff member at Pattonville High School, and district administrators were notified that Corey Lewis, a permanent substitute and coach, has been charged with sexual misconduct with a former student who has since graduated.
"We are deeply troubled by any report alleging that an employee may have engaged in inappropriate behavior. Our schools are places where students should always feel safe, and we take any allegation of staff misconduct very seriously.
"When a concern by a former student was brought to the district regarding potential inappropriate conduct by this employee, district administrators immediately contacted our police partners. We have been in full cooperation with Maryland Heights police and will continue to provide any information or assistance they request.
"As we do with all employees, this individual underwent an extensive background check before being hired. Additionally, every Pattonville School District employee completes annual training called "MUSIC Sexual Misconduct: Staff to Student" and receives Pattonville's Reporting and Investigating Child Abuse/Neglect policy, which teaches employees how to identify inappropriate staff/student conduct, and informs staff of their obligation as mandatory reporters.
"If you have any additional concerns related to this case or any other concerns of misconduct, please contact a district administrator and/or the Maryland Heights Police Department. If your student needs any support, please don't hesitate to contact their counselor.
"I cannot state strongly enough that protecting the welfare of all students and providing a safe, secure learning environment is our first priority. If additional relevant information becomes available, the district and authorities will disclose those details as appropriate or as permitted by law."
