A Lely High School teacher and coach was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a minor, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Erik Manning, 30, of Fort Myers, was arrested the morning of Nov. 2 and charged with sexual battery on a 16- or 17-year-old victim and was released from the Lee County Jail that day on $10,000 bond.
Manning, who taught social studies and coached baseball and football, was terminated immediately, according to Collier County district spokesman Chad Oliver.
Calls to Manning and Lely athletic director Bill Mottola were not immediately returned.
“I have not received any comment at this time,” said Lely football coach JJ Everage.
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Manning applied for a teaching position at Lely in 2020 and started in the 2020-21 school year, according to his personnel file.
He previously taught and coached baseball at Lehigh Senior High School from 2016 to 2020.
In 2019, Manning earned 7A-District 18 Coach of the Year honors after leading the Lightning baseball team to an 11-15 record.
The Kentucky native played college baseball at Morehead State and the University of Pikesville.
Manning’s trial is scheduled for Dec. 5, according to police.
Follow News-Press Sports reporter Dustin Levy on Twitter: @DustinBLevy. For additional Southwest Florida sports coverage, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
