A Lake County teacher was arrested this week after a 16-year-old female student told authorities he inappropriately touched her.

  • Tavares teacher arrested on battery charge
  • Brian Wall also was track and cross country coach
  • Deputies say he inappropriately touched a 16-year-old girl

Authorities say Brian Wall turned himself in Wednesday on a warrant for simple battery.

Wall taught language arts and coached track and cross country at Tavares High School.

Authorities say one of his female students claimed she stayed after school to make up work for his class on Nov. 15, 2016. The student said that's when Wall hugged her, asked her to sit in his lap, touched the outside of her thigh, lifted her shirt and touched her buttocks.

The girl came forward during an active investigation into inappropriate texts and pictures allegedly exchanged between Wall and juvenile female students and athletes, according to a Sheriff's Department arrest warrant. It said she requested to speak with detectives.

"Instead of saying, 'OK, this is what you need to make up your work,' he offered instead of cleaning the backboard and whatever you need to do, I'll take it in trade for hugs, which turned into inappropriate touching," said Sgt. Fred Jones with the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

School officials said Wall's last day was Tuesday. Wall was hired in 2014. They said they launched an investigation and will send that to the Department of Education.