CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A coach at a local high school has been arrested and charged with sexual battery.
According to an arrest warrant, 48-year-old Joseph Hart is accused of going to the residence of a 15-year-old student, picking her up, and taking her to his home on Benwood Dr.
Hart is the victim’s coach and said he was going to “massage the victim’s muscles” due to her soreness from a workout.
The arrest warrant lists Hart as an employee at CMCSS, but does not specify which school he was employed at.
Hart then allegedly touched the girl inappropriately during the massage and asked her sexual questions. The victim told Hart she had to leave and he stopped touching her.
Hart told police in an interview that he “didn’t know why he did what he did” and said he was disgusted with himself and wanted to die. Police said he also admitted to the crime and that the victim was truthful in her statements.
Hart was charged with sexual battery by an authority figure and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on a $100,000 bond.