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Mariner coach charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor, placed on administrative leave by school district

By Staff | Feb 10, 2017

Mariner boys’ basketball coach James Harris was arrested Thursday, accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.

Harris, 40, a social studies teacher, has been charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

He remained in the Lee County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $50,000 on each of two counts: sexual battery, victim 16 or 17, and solicit sexual battery act custodian, victim under 18.

It was learned through the investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Office that a student and Harris began texting each other last summer and it slowly became more sexual in nature. Harris would pick up the student in his vehicle, bring the student to a residence in Cape Coral, and then have sexual relations, according to a Sheriff’s Office release.

The alleged activity “occurred several times between November 2016 and February 2017.”

“Special Victims Unit Detectives were able to determine there was enough probable cause to arrest Harris after speaking with the victim,” the release states.

Harris was also placed on administrative leave by the Lee County School District on Thursday while it conducts an internal investigation following the arrest, officials said.

“We are committed to the safety of our students and expect all staff to adhere to the highest ethical practices and conduct,” a release issued by the school district states. “We will not tolerate behaviors that compromise the safety of our children.”

School officials said the district will make no further comment due to the ongoing investigation.

Attempts to reach Harris and athletic director Steve Larsen by phone for comment were unsuccessful Thursday.

Harris’ top-seeded Tritons (19-6) are scheduled to play No. 2 seed Lely tonight in the District 6A-12 championship game at 7 p.m. at Mariner. The Tritons advanced to the district final by defeating Cypress Lake 74-32 in the semifinals on Tuesday.

Officials ask that anyone with information regarding the investigation to call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).

Sources: Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the School District of Lee County