MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — A Louisiana coach is charged with offering to pay one of his underage athletes for sex, authorities said.
Joseph “Joe” Byrd is charged with soliciting for prostitution, prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student and telephone communications/improper language/harassment.
Photo courtesy of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office
Monroe Police began investigating a harassment complaint Feb. 28, when the mother of a juvenile victim reported that the victim’s AAU track coach, Byrd, allegedly requested the victim to perform sexual acts with him in exchange for payment.
According to court documents, authorities observed the text messages that were sent to the victim from a contact labeled as “Coach Joe.” On Feb. 23, Byrd allegedly texted the victim and asked them to perform sexual acts with him, and the victim refused. Byrd was reportedly apologetic after the victim refused his advances.
The victim also told Byrd that he made them uncomfortable with his request. According to authorities, they learned that Byrd was previously investigated for a similar incident involving a juvenile who was on his track team.
Byrd was arrested on March 7. He was released from the Ouachita Correctional Center on Monday after posting a $5,000 bond.
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