SC high school basketball coach, athletic director accused of sex with student
An Orangeburg County school basketball coach was accused of engaging in sexual activity with a 16-year-old student on school property, according to a statement from the local sheriff’s department.
Artis Coulter, 36, was charged Tuesday with sexual battery without coercion, according to his arrest warrant.
Coulter works at Bethune-Bowman High School as an athletic director and as the coach of the men’s basketball team. He has been on administrative leave since allegations of sexual misconduct arose, according to the sheriff’s department.
On March 25, school officials contacted Orangeburg deputies to report that Coulter was allegedly having sex with a female student, according to a police incident report. Coulter and the student allegedly engaged in the illicit act in the coaches office of the women’s locker room at the school on March 14.
“This took place over a period of time in March,” Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said. “At no time is it appropriate for a person of authority to have any type of contact such as this with a student.”
Coulter appeared in court Tuesday for a bond hearing, and was ultimately given a $10,000 bail.
Deputies are asking anyone that may have been a victim of a similar incident to call the sheriff’s department or contact Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
