Romeo football coach accused of soliciting teen girls for sex on Twitter
ROMEO, Mich. (WJBK) - Stunning allegations about a local high school football coach.
He was popular and had the trust of his students and supervisors. Now he's accused of abusing that trust after allegedly soliciting students for sex.
Romeo High School is stunned with news that freshman football coach, 25-year-old Hector Tanner is accused of asking two teenage female students to join him in a three-person sex session.
"Very graphic discussions about sex acts that he was trying to set up with these two young ladies, 15 and 16," said Eric Smith, Macomb County prosecutor.
Romeo High School had issued Tanner a tablet computer, investigators say he accessed his Twitter page and threw a direct message on the tablet to the 15 and 16-year-old girls.
He wrote: "Yeah, every day I have girls literally all over me, lol. It's like if I don't (expletive) one I'm a (expletive). It's crazy I hear my name everywhere. It's literally like not my fault that everyone thinks I'm attractive."
Tanner wanted the girls keep quiet. In another Twitter message he wrote: "I honestly just don't want to get canned or go to jail."
Investigators say no sexual encounter happened and it's thanks to a mother checking her daughter's cell phone and seeing the text.
"The youngest victim, her parent or guardian went on social media and reviewed her account and saw all of these discussions and was extremely upset by them and instantly contacted the Romeo school district."
Romeo schools issued an advisory to parents: "The matter underscores the importance that we as educators and parents continue to be vigilant regarding our children's social media activity, particularly when it pertains to their communications with adults."
"This is a great opportunity for all parents to have this discussion with their children, and I’m a parent as well. you've got to be on top of everything that goes on online," Smith said.
Hector Jamar Tanner is not convicted but he'll have his day in court. The charges are using a computer to commit a crime, accosting children for immoral purposes, and criminal sexual conduct. it's a 10-year felony if convicted.