O'FALLON, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
A well known figure at Fort Zumwalt West High School in O'Fallon is facing nearly a dozen felony charges. Reginald Hicks, Junior, 23, of Lake St. Louis is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16 year old female student from Zumwalt West. Court documents detail several sexual encounters between November 21st and December 4th. The Fort Zumwalt Superintendent, Bernie DuBray, says the relationship came to light when another student at the high school told school officials about it.
The 16 year old admitted the relationship to the principal and police were called in.
DuBray says Hicks was a hall monitor at Zumwalt West and was also an assistant coach for the varsity football team and track team. Now, Hicks is charged with nine counts of statutory sodomy in the second degree and two counts of second degree statutory rape. None of the incidents happened on school grounds.
Investigators say Hicks and the 16 year had sex at both of their homes and that other sex acts happened in Hicks' car near a Lake St. Louis park.
Stephanie Ronquest, a senior at West who knows Hicks says she's stunned by the allegations.
"He was very friendly. Everyone knew who he was like when we'd walk through the halls we would say hi to him. He wasn't like creepy or anything, very nice to everybody," said Ronquest.
Her mother, Maria Howren, added, "I was very shocked to hear that it happened in our school district."
DuBray says Hicks, who graduated from Zumwalt West, passed all background checks and worked for the district for the past year and a half without any problems. But not anymore: Hicks is no longer an employee of the district.
"You're always shocked when a staff member is involved with a student. You never get over that as many years as I've been here you still don't get over it," said DuBray.
Court documents indicate Hicks has admitted to the crimes and to knowing the age of the girl. The documents also say Hicks felt regret after each encounter. He was jailed on a $50,000 bond.
DuBray says letters will go home with students on Wednesday explaining the situation.
Because of Hicks work at the school, O'Fallon Police are concerned that there may be other victims. Anyone with information or concerns can contact Detective Matthew Myers at (636) 379-5670.
The 16 year old admitted the relationship to the principal and police were called in.
DuBray says Hicks was a hall monitor at Zumwalt West and was also an assistant coach for the varsity football team and track team. Now, Hicks is charged with nine counts of statutory sodomy in the second degree and two counts of second degree statutory rape. None of the incidents happened on school grounds.
Investigators say Hicks and the 16 year had sex at both of their homes and that other sex acts happened in Hicks' car near a Lake St. Louis park.
Stephanie Ronquest, a senior at West who knows Hicks says she's stunned by the allegations.
"He was very friendly. Everyone knew who he was like when we'd walk through the halls we would say hi to him. He wasn't like creepy or anything, very nice to everybody," said Ronquest.
Her mother, Maria Howren, added, "I was very shocked to hear that it happened in our school district."
DuBray says Hicks, who graduated from Zumwalt West, passed all background checks and worked for the district for the past year and a half without any problems. But not anymore: Hicks is no longer an employee of the district.
"You're always shocked when a staff member is involved with a student. You never get over that as many years as I've been here you still don't get over it," said DuBray.
Court documents indicate Hicks has admitted to the crimes and to knowing the age of the girl. The documents also say Hicks felt regret after each encounter. He was jailed on a $50,000 bond.
DuBray says letters will go home with students on Wednesday explaining the situation.
Because of Hicks work at the school, O'Fallon Police are concerned that there may be other victims. Anyone with information or concerns can contact Detective Matthew Myers at (636) 379-5670.
