Paraprofessional faces sexual assault charge

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A local coach and paraprofessional faces a sexual assault charge and has been removed from his DeKalb County classroom.

Channel 2's Liz Artz spoke to Darrell Lake over the phone Monday.

He said he had no comment, but is looking for an attorney and hopes to get the charges dropped.

Students told Artz they suspected something last week.

“Some folks came to get him out of class going to third period," said student Devyn Smith.

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Lake is a paraprofessional at Cedar Grove High School in Dekalb County. Devyn says he’s also his defensive end coach.

The 31-year-old was pulled from class, the school district says, after an investigation that led to charges of sexual assault against a person in custody.

“One of those responsibilities is not to have sexual contact with a person in your care," said Scott Smith.

Criminal defense attorney Scott Smith told Artz Monday the charge implies Lake had sexual contact with a student in his care. The district would only confirm in a statement:

“An employee was arrested March 6 at Cedar Grove High School in connection with a police investigation. The matter is also under review by the district and we will respond appropriately," said Andre Riley, Dekalb County schools spokesperson.

Artz made an open records request for Lake's personnel file, the police report and video from the classroom where Lake is in charge of detention. According to his LinkedIn account he's assigned to students in the in-school suspension program and works with students during reflection period.

“He had to have some type of ability to discipline this student or he would not be such a serious felony charge," said attorney Scott Smith.

Smith says if convicted Lake faces 25 years in prison.

Cox Media Group