RAVENSWOOD, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An assistant middle school track coach faces charges after having filmed a juvenile student in a changing room.
According to the Ravenswood Police Department, on Thursday, March 21st, 2024, at approximately 4:00pm, the Ravenswood Police Department responded to Ravenswood Grade School track in reference to an individual being filmed.
Upon arrival at the facility, Sgt. C. D. Bush spoke with the complainant and head high school girls track coach, Renee Swisher. Swisher advised that the assistant middle school track coach, Thomas Haines, was in possession of a video that Sgt. Bush needed to see.
Haines then presented Sgt. Bush with a video that, Haines admitted to having filmed with his phone from inside a changing area designated for the girl’s track team.
The phone was reportedly discovered by a juvenile female while she was in the changing room. The student then reported the device to Swisher.
In an interview with Sgt. Bush and Detective J. D. Garrett, Haines admitted to placing his phone in the area where the juvenile female was changing in order to record her taking off her clothes. Haines also stated that he placed the same phone in the same changing room a few days prior and had recorded a juvenile changing clothes.
Following the interview, Sgt. Bush and Detective Garrett, along with Sheriff’s Deputies, conducted a search warrant on the home of Haines, after which time Haines was arrested and charged with two counts of Prohibiting Child Erotica and two counts of Criminal Invasion of Privacy.
The former assistant track coach is currently being housed in the South-Central Regional Jail in lieu of bond.
“At this time, we are only aware of one juvenile that was filmed. If we find evidence to believe others were filmed, we will immediately make the appropriate notifications” said Ravenswood Police Chief, Lance B. Morrison. “This incident is still under investigation and further charges are possible”.
