West Port High School assistant football coach arrested for having sex with 16-year-old student

(Pictured: James Edward Ford III, former West Port High School Asst football coach)

On January 19, Florida’s Ocala Police Department announced that their Detective Blanton arrested James Edward Ford III, 43, for several felony charges, including unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, offenses against students by authority figures, travel to meet a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, and use of two-way communication device to facility felony.

Ford was an assistant football coach for West Port High School in Ocala.

Last week, School Resource Officer Pope was informed of an alleged inappropriate relationship between a student and Ford. Detective Blanton interviewed the student, who disclosed that she and Ford started communicating through text messages and over the phone in January 2024 and began meeting outside of school in August 2024. The student said they kissed, including once in a school locker room, and had a sexual encounter in Ford’s vehicle in September 2024. The student was 16 years old at the time of the encounter.

Detective Blanton’s investigation ultimately led to Ford’s arrest on January 17.

Marion County Public Schools said that Ford is no longer employed at West Port High School as of Thursday, January 16. The school district said he is also not allowed on campus, according to WESH.

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(Source and James Edward Ford III mugshot: Ocala Police)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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