An assistant athletic director at an Oklahoma school district was accused Thursday of sexually assaulting a student in 2011, according to a report from The Oklahoman.
Ronald Gene Arthur is facing three felony counts including second-degree rape, forcible sodomy and soliciting sexual contact with a minor by use of technology.
Arthur, 51, was suspended from Shawnee Public Schools on Aug. 2 while the investigation was underway and was arrested Aug. 16, when he turned himself in after a warrant for his arrest was issued.
Arthur was the boys basketball coach for 16 seasons in Shawnee before stepping down last year. He has been assistant athletic director for six years.
In the charge, Arthur was also accused of forcing another student to perform oral sex in May.
Arthur maintains he did nothing wrong, the newspaper reported. He is resigning from his position at the school.
Suspended Shawnee assistant athletic director Ron Arthur charged with sex crimes https://t.co/Ly5YJ3FYFW
— The Oklahoman (TheOklahoman_) September 10, 2021
The Shawnee Public Schools superintendent, April Grace, came under fire after a sheriff's deputy revealed Arthur has been in trouble before. According to The Oklahoman, accusations against Arthur date back to 2007, the deputy reported.
"He has been allowed to be around students for the last 14 years while the Shawnee Public Schools knew he had sexual abuse allegations against him from current students at the time," a deputy wrote in a search warrant request.
After he turned himself in, Arthur posted a $100,000 bond and was released, The Oklahoman reported. He faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted.
