No Charges Filed Against Riggins

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando High School track coach who resigned in early May amid allegations of touching and text messaging a student inappropriately will not be arrested and no charges will be filed.

With Hernando County Sheriff's Office deputies closing their investigation June 4, the underage female student at Hernando High - who graduated Tuesday night - has opted not to prosecute former coach and paraprofessional Eric Riggins, 31.

Though state attorney Don Barbee advised the student that there was enough evidence to file a misdemeanor battery charge, she decided against it because "she is preparing to leave for college and it would not accomplish what she wanted to see done with the case," according to a sheriff's report.

"(The student) did not feel the charge of a misdemeanor battery was appropriate nor was it worth a court battle to continue with the case," detectives wrote. "(She) was hoping to have some type of charge filed that would show a criminal history of a sex crime to prevent him from having contact with other minors and to prevent this from happening to anyone else."

Riggins, of Brooksville, was suspended with pay in April after Hernando County School District officials launched an investigation. He resigned May 5, two days after officials recommended his termination.

With testimony from dozens of students and parents, he was accused of inappropriate contact that includes touching the student's "private parts," sending sexually suggestive text messages and making lewd remarks via telephone, and in person, to several students.

The student described a particular occasion when Riggins put a hand up her skirt and another where he grabbed her in the same area. The student also told of an explicit text message sent to her cell phone from Riggins' phone, as well as a harassing phone call, prompting involvement from a local child abuse hotline.

But since the complaints did not result in charges, at least one local leader is demanding Riggins be rehired at Hernando High.

"He deserves to get his job back, if he wasn't charged with anything," said Rev. Tommy Mason, pastor for Victorious Christian Life Ministries in Spring Hill.

He said he believes Riggins was bullied into resigning, and should file a lawsuit against the district.

"The man's reputation has been ruined," Mason said, describing Riggins as an upstanding citizen and coach who was falsely accused.

Riggins has repeatedly denied all allegations.

In the sheriff's probe, accounts initially pointed toward a lewd and lascivious battery charge - or an adult touching an underage victim inappropriately - but Barbee determined that based on the facts, the appropriate charge would be a misdemeanor battery charge, or intentionally touching someone against their will.

"(Barbee) was unable to file a sexual battery charge due to the fact there was no (sexual contact), nor was he able to file a solicitation by a school official due to the fact that he could not prove Coach Riggins sent the text message to (the student)," detectives wrote.

Throughout the investigation, Riggins maintained that the text message was sent by a student who was using his phone.

The investigation also included rumors related to previous allegations that Riggins and fellow track coach and long-term substitute Brent Mobley - who has since been fired - engaged in misconduct by socializing with students after the prom on April 5 at Clearwater Beach.

School district officials have distanced themselves from the criminal investigation, and said that since Riggins is no longer an employee at the school and has not been charged with any crime related to the school, the district is not responsible for his actions.

Barbee was on vacation Tuesday and unavailable for comment.

Riggins previously asked that all media requests be handled through his attorney.

At press time, Riggins' attorney, Laguerra Champagne of Tampa, had not returned a call for comment.