Teacher found not guilty of sending exposing photos to 17-year old student

POINCIANA, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Update: Wayne Ricks was found not guilty by a jury of sending exposing photos to a 17-year old student on May 14, 2019. 

The Osceola Sheriff's Office reported that a teacher at Poinciana High School was having an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student. 

The sheriff's office says that on January 24th, 2018, they launched an investigation in reference to possible child abuse at Poinciana High School. Deputies received information that 26-year-old Wayne McKenzie Ricks, a Poinciana High School teacher and basketball coach, was possibly having an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student.

Detectives say that they learned that Ricks started to buy gifts for the student, including sneakers, a cell phone, and a necklace. Ricks also kissed the victim on one occasion and sent her a picture of himself exposing his genitals via Snapchat. 

The sheriff's office says that during the investigation, probable cause was obtained and Ricks was arrested on January 25th, 2018, from an arrest warrant for the offenses of Battery and Transmission of Material Harmful to Minors. 

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office and the Osceola County School Department say that they are committed to the safety of their children. They ask that anyone who has information regarding this case or any other case of this nature, please contact the sheriff's office at 407-348-2222. 

The Osceola County School Department told Fox 35 that any actions that compromises the safety and security of their students will not be tolerated. They also said that Ricks has resigned from the district.