SAN ANGELO, TX -- The San Angelo Police Department arrested a now former Lake View High School track coach for having sex with a 16-year-old girl.
According to the affidavit signed by Justice of the Peace J.P. McGuire, on September 19, the San Angelo Police Department arrested Richard Covington, 32, after they received a tip about him and a 16-year-old girl having sex over the summer.
The child told police that Covington and her had began "chatting" on Tinder. She said Covington then got her Snapchat and they began sharing nude photos with one another.
Police say this is when Covington planned a time to "hook up" with the child.
On August 21, 2019, Covington went to the girl's home, picked her up, and took her back to his residence. The affidavit states that while at the residence Covington had sex with the girl.
After having sex with the child, Covington made her get dressed and he took her back home.
Police say that during a interview with Covington he admitted to having sex with the 16-year-old .
Tinder is a location-based social search mobile app and Web application most often used as a dating service, that allows users to use a swiping motion to like or dislike other users, and allows users to chat if both parties like each other. It is also categorized as an 18+ app.
SAISD has released a statement concerning the incident:
On Thursday, September 19, 2019, San Angelo ISD was notified of an arrest of a former employee involving inappropriate conduct with a minor. There is no indication at this time that any inappropriate conduct occurred with SAISD students. There is also no indication that any inappropriate conduct occurred on school property or during school events or activities. Although the District cannot disclose details regarding a former employee, we rely on information from investigations and law enforcement to take appropriate action. All reports are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and are acted upon swiftly.
Covington is charged with sexual assault of a child and is currently in the Tom Green County Jail. His bond is set at $50,000.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Comments
a 16 year old can read the words "18 and over", yet she didn't think the rules should apply to her. This 32 year old man was utilizing a service which was legally within his right to do so, being that Tinder makes it clear that their service is intended for adults over 18, he technically did nothing wrong by browsing members on this adult site, and selecting a date from the available choices.
This girl is no "victim", and 16 years old is hardly a "child". She willingly and knowingly posted a profile, despite the age restriction, she wasn't kidnapped or forced into sexual intercourse. If he can be implicated in any crime, she should definitively be implicated as a willing participant and accessory. It took two of them, after all, to commit this "crime".
Funny, if they had decided to rob a bank together, rather than screw each other, we'd have two criminals on our hands, rather than the quintessential "predator preys on innocent child" charade.
- Log in or register to post comments
PermalinkPost a comment to this article here: