Coach arrested for allegedly filming nude minor
Charged with pandering obscenity at school
PATASKALA – A Licking Heights wrestling coach has been arrested after he allegedly set up a camera to record a student changing.
Anthony J. Haist, 23, of Pickerington, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with one count of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, a second-degree felony.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Licking County Common Pleas on Wednesday, the minor victim went to Licking Heights Central Intermediate School for wrestling practice and met with a coach, identified as Haist.
The complaint said after working out, Haist allegedly told the child the locker room was contaminated by COVID-19 and to change clothes in the storage closet.
“While doing this and in the state of nudity, the victim noticed a cell phone set up recording (the victim) getting changed,” the complaint stated. “While reviewing the video, the victim observed the defendant setting up the camera.”
Pataskala Police Deputy Chief Michael Boals said the practice was more like a one-on-one session between the coach and student. Boals said the victim reported the incident to the victim's parents.
Boals said the incident remains under investigation by their agency.
According to the complaint, the Licking County Prosecutor's Office requested Haist be held in jail on a $150,000 bond.
The agency cited Haist's position of trust and recording of a minor as reasons for the request.
Magistrate Mattie Klein set bond at $150,000.
A grand jury will review the case for possible indictment and possible additional charges.
If convicted, Haist faces up to eight years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine.
According to a 2017 Advocate article, Anthony Haist wrestled for Licking Heights while a student there before finishing at Mount Vernon.
He returned to Licking Heights to help in the district's wrestling program. Licking Heights Local Schools Superintendent Philip Wagner told The Advocate that Haist serves as a volunteer wrestling coach for the district and is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.