Former South Laurel girls' basketball coach indicted for sex crime

A Laurel County grand jury returned an indictment this morning against Jon Walker. He served as the South Laurel girls' basketball coach until right before the basketball season tipped off in the fall.

Walker faces a charge of first-degree sexual abuse. According to the indictment, the former coach is accused of having sexual contact with a 16-year-old on or about November 2, while in a position of authority or special trust. It does not specify if that teenager was a player or student of the school

In November, police told us they opened an investigation into a coach at the school.

At the time Laurel County School District officials released a statement saying they were conducting an administrative investigation as well. They also told us that the coach was suspended.

Later we would learn Walker was no longer a member of the Lady Cardinals' program and they hired a new coach. Walker was hired in 2016 and led the Lady Cardinals to more than 50 wins and several regional tournament appearances.

The Laurel County School District released the following statement about the situation:

Walker will be arraigned in March. If he is convicted, he could face a sentence of one to five years for a Class D felony and be listed on the sex offender registry for 20 years.