A former American high school football coach and his girlfriend have been handed lengthy prison sentences after being convicted of sexually abusing a minor on school property and creating abusive material involving toddlers.
Shocking Crimes Uncovered on School Grounds
Antwone Washington, 46, and Jada Cole, 27, appeared before Judge Monica Trujillo in Las Vegas on Monday, where they learned they will spend between eight and 25 years behind bars. The pair had pleaded guilty in December to attempted use of a minor in producing child sexual abuse material and lewdness with a child under 16.
Washington, who was the head football coach and a campus security officer at Valley High School, abused his position of trust. The court heard that videos were discovered showing him sexually assaulting an underage student, including footage of rape and other degrading acts, with some crimes filmed in his office located in the boys' locker room.
Multiple Young Victims Identified
While the case initially involved a teenage student, further investigation by the Clark County District Attorney's office revealed two toddlers were also victims. Washington and Cole, who was babysitting the children, created child sexual abuse material involving the infants, who were no more than three years old.
"Not only do we have a teacher or a football coach who’s used his position within our community to abuse and take advantage of students, we also now have an individual who we found is essentially sexually abusing, photographing toddlers, infants," said Chief Deputy District Attorney William Rowles.
Emotional Sentencing and Lasting Consequences
During the emotional sentencing, the mother of one toddler victim confronted the pair, stating her child was just two years old when Cole sent inappropriate pictures to Washington. "You actions are repulsive. You are a treacherous, vile creature who deserves to never walk free," she told the court.
Both defendants will be required to register as sex offenders for life upon their eventual release. They received credit for time already served—471 days for Washington and 321 for Cole—as part of their plea deal with state prosecutors.
The case exposed other concerning behaviour, with school staff reportedly noting Washington's prolonged hugs with students. His defence lawyer, Tyler Gaston, had argued his client was a mentor and posed no flight risk, a characterisation starkly contradicted by the graphic evidence presented in court.
