Whitley coach arrested on nine counts of promoting sexual performance

A Whitley County Schools employee has been arrested for charges related to the sexual abuse of minors.

Lioney A. Henriquez, 39, of Corbin, was arrested Wednesday on two counts of first-degree Sexual Abuse, nine counts of Promoting the Use of a Minor in a Sexual Performance, and Promoting the Use of a Minor in a Sexual Performance by Electronic Means.

Henriquez was Whitley County High School's Physical Education teacher and a Whitley County Middle School's baseball coach for the Whitley County School District, according to his arrest citation.

That citation states that the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crimes Division received a complaint from a Whitley County Sheriff's Office SRO (school resource officer) that Henriquez was having an inappropriate relationship with two minor students. Subsequently, KSP seized numerous electronic devices belonging to Henriquez that were investigated for indecent material of the aforementioned minors.

According to Henriquez's arrest citation, he admitted to sending and receiving nude photographs to and from the students; he also admitted to touching them inappropriately at school.

The arrest citation indicates the students involved were 16 and 17 years of age respectively.

He also purportedly told KSP officers that he offered to meet the students for sex, but that it did not happen.

Whitley County Superintendent John Siler stated that Henriquez resigned from his positions at Whitley County Public Schools on Saturday, March 9.