Lexington coach pleads not guilty to statutory rape charges

HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — An assistant football coach at Lexington High School pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning to statutory rape charges involving a student.

Adam Yates

Adam Yates, 34, of Lexington is charged with two counts of aggravated statutory rape, according to court papers. The alleged victim is a student at Lexington High School, according to an affidavit.

Daniel Taylor has been retained to represent Yates. “Today we just did an arraignment. We entered a not guilty plea. I served notice to my appearance of council. That’s basically all that happened today. We come back the next time, it’ll be an appearance day, or sort of a status day,” Taylor said.

Yates is accused of having sexual intercourse with the 17-year-old female in his vehicle while parked at Wal-Mart in Lexington, according to an affidavit.

“In the meantime, the only thing that’s going to happen is we’re going to gather as much information as we can — warrants, reports, discuss things with witnesses — then proceed through the court system,” Taylor said.

Yates is free on a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court again at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 19.

He has been suspended from the school without pay.