CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Cape Coral Police arrested Oasis High softball coach Erick Rodriguez for alleged lewd behavior with a minor student.
According to investigators, a student at Oasis High School reported to staff that Rodriguez had been sending sexually explicit text messages and nude photos showing his face to another student.
Police began investigating and say they found Rodriguez inappropriately communicated with a student, during which time he sent and requested nude photos from that student. Police say the investigation also revealed Rodriguez inappropriately touched the victim over her clothes.
Rodriguez had his first court appearance Thursday in front of a Lee County judge.
During that court appearance, Rodriguez's bond was set at $60,000, and was ordered to wear a GPS monitor and not come into contact with any minors, the victim, and could not access the internet.
A Lee County School District spokesperson tells Fox 4 Rodriguez was also a volunteer coach at North Fort Myers High School for three seasons starting in 2021.
The district says all volunteers must pass a sex offender background check.
The coach had also been a part of recreational softball in Cape Coral for nine years, including travel baseball.
Fox 4 reached out to the City of Cape Coral for comment because the city runs the charter schools. They provided a statement about the matter:"
"Erick Rodriguez, a volunteer softball coach at Oasis Charter Schools, has been removed from all duties and responsibilities associated with Oasis Charter Schools. To ensure the integrity of this active and ongoing investigation, the City cannot provide any further comments."
On Thursday, parents outside of Oasis High School told Fox 4's Cape Coral Community Correspondent Colton Chavez they were outraged by the allegations.
“I have a teenager, teenagers talk teenagers show each other their screenshots like I just kind of think it's outrageous that someone would even try to even do something like this,” said one parent who has two teens who go to OHS.
Rodriguez's next day in court is set for May 28.
