Gary charter school basketball coach charged with sexual misconduct

CROWN POINT | Five female students at a Gary charter school have accused a boys basketball coach, now fired, of sexual misconduct.

The allegations led to prosecutors filing eight criminal counts Thursday against Brennen Heffner, 25, who had coached at 21st Century Charter School.

Heffner, also a contracted bus driver at the school, is charged with two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, two counts of child seduction and a single count of criminal confinement, all felonies. Heffner is also charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery.

A warrant issued Thursday for Heffner's arrest had bail set at $100,000.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed Thursday, a teacher at the charter school reported Heffner's alleged misconduct to Principal Angela West.

Contacted Thursday, West said Heffner was fired as soon as the report hit her desk.

"We take the safety of our students seriously, and once we were informed of the allegations, we terminated his position immediately," West said. "At this point, we trust the justice system to run its course."

According to the affidavit, the teacher who reported the alleged incidents to authorities said a student first told him of inappropriate touching between Heffner and three of the students, who later confirmed the report.

The girl who made the initial report later told authorities Heffner also had touched her, the affidavit states.

A school employee also advised the teacher of seeing Heffner touch a fifth girl, who confirmed the incident, according to the affidavit.

Heffner is alleged to have repeatedly touched girls "on the butt," hugged them inappropriately and in several incidents made sexual comments and asked for sex, the affidavit states.

One student reportedly told Heffner she would be informing authorities. Heffner is alleged to have asked her if she thought anyone would believe her over him.

The incidents began in July 2009 and continued into November 2011, the affidavit states.