Tracy Kenneth Vest, formerly the head coach of the Rhea County High School girls’ basketball team, now faces four criminal counts alleging child sexual abuse.
The charges include three counts of sexual battery and a single count of continuous sexual abuse, all said to have occurred prior to Vest’s resignation from the school in late March.
Investigators contend that Vest abused the trust placed in him as a coach and educator, using his authority to target the victims within the school setting.
School’s Immediate Reaction
Rhea County Schools Director Amie Lonas issued a statement confirming that the district acted swiftly once the allegations surfaced, initiating an internal investigation and pledging full cooperation with local law‑enforcement agencies.
Lonas emphasized that student safety remains the district’s top priority and that any staff member found to have violated policy will be held accountable.
Legal Status and Background
Vest is currently out of custody on a $200,000 bond while his defense attorney, Thomas Austin of Dunlap, prepares his case. He has entered a not‑guilty plea, and the matter is expected to proceed through the county circuit court.
The former coach’s professional trajectory includes a 25‑year stint as a physical‑education teacher in Jackson County, Alabama, before he accepted the coaching position at Rhea County in August 2019.
The scandal has sparked conversation across the community about the safeguarding of youth athletes and the need for robust oversight within school programs.