Assistant Football Coach Arrested on Charge of Soliciting Sexual Contact With Student
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested a Bayshore High School assistant football coach following allegations that he solicited sexual contact from a student.
According to investigators, the parent of a 16-year-old student reported on November 17 that 42-year-old Lagarius Spikes made sexually explicit comments to the student in his office at Bayshore High School and solicited sex. Detectives say Spikes later sent explicit text messages to the student.
Information provided by the student and parent included details of conversations, phone messages from the previous week, and an audio-recorded exchange that investigators reviewed. Detectives determined there was probable cause to charge Spikes with Soliciting Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure. He was taken into custody at his Palmetto residence and booked into the Manatee County Jail.
The Manatee County School District confirmed that Spikes, who also serves as a Graduation Enhancement Technician, has been placed on administrative leave. The district stated that student safety remains its highest priority and that counselors are available to support students and staff.
The sheriff’s office reported that there have been no prior similar allegations against Spikes. According to district information, Graduation Enhancement Technicians work with students at risk of academic disengagement by identifying barriers such as absenteeism, health needs, homelessness, and lack of support at home. They meet with students and families to build relationships that improve attendance and school engagement.
The investigation remains active.
