In an update to Thursday’s story of former Knoxville High School Assistant Wrestling Coach Tyler Hatch being charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee, KNIA/KRLS News has learned Hatch was a student teacher at the school in the fall of 2016 when the alleged sexual contact with an 18 year-old student occurred.

Knoxville Superintendent Cassi Pearson tells KNIA/KRLS News student teachers are not school employees and disciplinary action for any rule- breaking would fall under the responsibilities of Hatch’s university. There is no law against relations between student teachers and high school students, and Hatch has been charged criminally because of his role as a wrestling coach. Knoxville Police Lieutenant Aaron Fuller tells KNIA/KRLS News an anonymous tip was received January 6 that Hatch had sexual contact with an 18-year-old student in early October at an apartment in Knoxville. Fuller says the investigation is ongoing, but there was probable cause to make the arrest. Hatch has been charged with an aggravated misdemeanor. The felony only applies when a pattern of multiple instances of exploitation occur.