Florida Boys' Tennis Coach Charged in 2007 Child Sex Abuse Case

By Cindy Swirko

Staff writer, Gainsville Sun

Gainsville, Florida - An Eastside High School teacher and boys head tennis coach has been arrested on charges of child sexual abuse in connection with a 2007 case in Washington, D.C.

Alan Wade Coleman, 45, has been placed on administrative leave pending the case's outcome, said Alachua County School District spokeswoman Jackie Johnson.

Meanwhile, the Gainesville Police Department is asking anyone who believes they have information about any illegal activity by Coleman to call the Combined Communications Center's non-emergency number at 955-1818. Information can also be texted anonymously to keyword GPDFL plus the tip to 274637.

GPD spokesman Officer Ben Tobias said in a press release that Coleman was arrested Tuesday by U.S. Marshals and officers from the Metropolitan Police Department, with GPD's assistance. He has since been released by a federal court, Tobias added.

Tobias told The Sun that local police have gotten no reports or complaints about Coleman in Gainesville.

“We're just covering our bases, given the allegations, that there was nothing here,” Tobias said.

Coleman could not quickly be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

A Metropolitan police report offers few details about the charges.

“On April 22, 2016, Subject one reported that she was engaged in a sexual relationship with subject two,” the report states. “Subject one reported that she had sex with Subject two on June 17, 2007 at the listed location. Subject one also reported that she also had sex with subject two on multiple occasions prior to June 17, 2007 within the District of Columbia.”

Johnson said Coleman was hired in July and taught social studies. School system records show his appointment had been recommended recently for renewal.

He was the head coach of the boys tennis team, Johnson said.

“We conduct federal and state background checks,” Johnson said. “The Florida Department of Law Enforcement does the state check and the FBI the national one. They both came up with no charges.”