WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — A former teacher is in jail, accused of sexually abusing two students while at school.
Kentucky State Police arrested Lioney Henriquez Wednesday afternoon. He was a P.E. teacher at Whitley County High School and a baseball coach at Whitley County Middle School. The Whitley County Schools superintendent said Henriquez resigned on March 9.
According to an arrest citation, Kentucky State Police said the initial complaint came from the Whitley County Sheriff’s school resource officer. They reported that Henriquez had exchanged nude photos with two high school girls, ages 16 and 17. The complaint said it had happened multiple times. Police said Henriquez admitted to that and also to touching the girls’ private areas while they were at the school. Police say he also told them that he offered to meet the girls at a hotel for sex, but that it never actually happened. The investigator said the girls’ statements were consistent with his.
At his arraignment Thursday morning, Henriquez' attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf to charges of sexual abuse and promoting a sexual performance by a minor.
In a statement emailed to LEX 18, Henriquez' attorney, B. J. Foley, said, "Mr. Henriquez is presumed innocent. We are in the infant stages of the criminal process. At this juncture, we have not been provided with any evidence. I ask that everyone withhold judgment until which time Mr. Henriquez is afforded proper due process of law."
Henriquez will have a preliminary hearing on March 19. He is in the Whitley County Detention Center on a $50,000 cash bond.
