Former Mainland High School football coach sentenced to 21 years in prison for child sexual abuse | Observer Local News

A former Mainland High School football coach and teacher was sentenced to 21 years in prison for child sexual abuse he committed while employed by Volusia County Schools, prosecutors reported.

Arin Hankerd, who was most recently a football coach and teacher at Atlantic High School, was arrested in May 2023 and charged with two separate counts of sexual abuse. The charges include two counts of child molestation, traveling to meet a minor, exposure via computer, sexual activity with a minor and two counts of commission of a crime against a student by a person in authority.

Hankerd was initially arrested for crimes he committed while a coach at Atlantic; According to prosecutors, the second victim came forward after his arrest. This crime was committed while Hankerd was a coach and teacher at Mainland in 2019.

“Coaches have significant influence on the athletes and students they coach,” District Attorney RJ Larizza said in a news release. “The defendant chose to use his influence to sexually exploit and manipulate our victims. His betrayal of her trust and vulnerability makes him a predator of epic proportions.”

The cases were investigated by the Port Orange and Ormond Beach Police Departments. In addition to the 21 years in prison, Hankerd must serve 30 years of probation as a sex offender and is classified as a sex offender.