A Rhea County grand jury has returned an indictment against Tracy Kenneth Vest, the longtime girls basketball coach at Rhea County High School, on three counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child.
The charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred in March 2026, when the victim was between 13 and 17 years old, and involve unlawful sexual contact on separate occasions on March 13 and March 26.
Prosecutors say the alleged conduct reflects a pattern of abuse, with the fourth count accusing Vest of engaging in three or more separate incidents over a period of at least 90 days, a threshold that triggers the continuous sexual abuse charge.
NewsChannel 9 confirmed through the MaxPreps website that Vest was listed as the girls varsity basketball coach at Rhea County High School, and the station has reached out to Rhea County Schools to determine his current employment status and whether he remains affiliated with the program.
Legal Proceedings Underway
A grand jury indictment does not determine guilt but signals that prosecutors have presented sufficient evidence to move forward with a criminal trial, a process that could carry significant penalties if Vest is convicted.
The case has drawn attention from the local community and sports advocacy groups, who are urging a thorough investigation and appropriate protective measures for youth athletes.
As the case advances, both the defense and the prosecution are expected to file pre‑trial motions, and a trial date will be set pending the court’s schedule. Meanwhile, the incident underscores the importance of safeguarding minors in school‑based programs.