A 21-year-old gymnastics coach in Florida was arrested after he was caught hiding in the closet of a 13-year-old girl’s bedroom by the girl’s mother. According to WTVT, the girl admitted to her mother that she and Justin Lee had sex. Henry was charged with lewd and lascivious battery, according to The Tampa Tribune.
Here’s what you need to know about him:
1. He Was Arrested in the Girl’s Home
According to The Tampa Tribune, Henry was arrested in the girl’s home after being found hiding in her closet by her mother. The girl’s mother went to check on her daughter at 2 a.m. Wednesday when she realized her daughter’s door was locked, the Tribune reports. According to cops, the girl said she and Henry had sex twice in her home.
2. This Isn’t the First Time Henry’s Been Arrested
(Screenshot/Twitter/@MyFoxTampaBay)
WTVT reports Henry was busted by cops for driving around with three 14-year-old girls who had been drinking. Henry had even touched one of the girl’s thighs and asked about being her boyfriend, according to WTVT. The Tampa Tribune reports Henry was arrested on three counts of interfering with child custody.
3. Gym Employees Called Henry’s Actions ‘a big Betrayal’
Popular #Lakeland gymnastics coach arrested – deputies: had sex w/13 yo girl – deputies said he hid in girl's closet pic.twitter.com/yICcCVRG0w
— Paul Michael Mueller (@paulmnews) July 31, 2014
Elite World Gymnastics manager Andrew Muzzarelli told WTVT Henry ruined the trust he had built up as an employee. He said:
“It was a big shot through our heart. It was a big betrayal. We can’t even believe that happened. We put a lot of trust in him, and we gave it to him, and he ended up breaking up that trust with us. It’s really hard for us right now.
Muzzarelli also told WTVT Henry’s actions have tarnished the gym’s reputation:
You have to build a trust with the parents and kids. He’s kind of ruined that for us, and that’s something that we’re going to have to build back up.
4. He Passed His Initial Background Check
Just talked to heartbroken mom of 13-year old girl. The teen's 21-y/o gymnastics coach arrested for having sex w/her. 11pm @wtsp10news
— Dion Lim (@DionLimWTSP) July 31, 2014
According to Bay News 9, Henry had passed the initial background check Elite World Gymnastics requires for all new employees. The company only runs background checks every two years, however, so they were unaware of Henry’s earlier arrest. According to WTVT, the gym is considering running background checks on employees more often.
5. He’s Out on Bail
According to Bay News 9, Henry was released from the Hillsborough County Jail on $7,500 bond Wednesday.