GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Police arrested a former Gwinnett County high school coach on Tuesday for child sexual battery charges after dozens of teenage girls came forward to report inappropriate sexual behavior.
Anthony Rainge was charged with two counts of sexual battery against a child. While he was under investigation, Rainge retired from Meadowcreek High School. He was a swim coach there.
Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes has been following this case for weeks as police investigated.
A group of current and former students told Fernandes in June that Rainge needed to face criminal charges.
“It’s just a really horrible experience to feel like we were taken advantage of,” a former student told Fernandes.
Many of the girls told Fernandes that the abuse went on for years.
One former student said Rainge abused her back in 2013.
“It starts out with just verbal harassment, and then things started getting really physical,” the former student said. “I know that some of the victims are afraid to press charges.”
The victims told Fernandes they relieved Rainge has been arrested and ordered to stay away from his accusers.
“I know that many times, girls felt uncomfortable just knowing that at any time of the night, he would pull up to their house or would call them and basically harass a lot of young women,” a victim said.
Rainge bonded out of jail Tuesday night.
His victims say he should face more than two counts of sexual battery.
Gwinnett police arrested former Meadowcreek HS Swim Coach Anthony Rainge for sexual battery against children under 16. I told you about the investigation 2 weeks ago, but couldn’t name the suspect bc he wasn’t charged. He retired while under investigation for this. pic.twitter.com/wPgJz97V66
— Tyisha Fernandes (@TyishaWSB) July 8, 2020
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