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ST. PETERSBURG — A former St. Petersburg High School cross country coach has been arrested on a charge of having a sexual relationship with one of his female athletes.
Lee Edwards Fictum, 32, would skip work and have sex with the then-16-year-old girl before cross country practice, investigators said.
The sexual relationship lasted about 10 days in August 2007, when the girl's father confronted Fictum.
The father took Fictum to police and told him to "man up" and admit the relationship, St. Petersburg detectives said. He has not admitted it, police said Tuesday.
Fictum was arrested Monday, more than a year after the allegations first surfaced, on a charge of unlawful sexual activity, a second-degree felony. He posted $100,000 bail and was released Tuesday afternoon.
An insurance agent, Fictum resigned his part-time coaching job as soon as the allegations surfaced, said Fictum's attorney, Jay Hebert.
"I think he was extremely well liked by the students, but to avoid the appearance of impropriety he took the high road and left," Hebert said.
Investigators said Fictum and the girl began a romantic relationship in the spring of 2007. They continued talking during the summer, even when the girl was traveling in Europe.
Police said the relationship then turned sexual. Phone records obtained by investigators detail frequent calls, police say.
The girl's father discovered the relationship when he reviewed exchanges between the two on a Web site for the St. Petersburg High track and cross country teams.
The girl's father confronted his daughter, who admitted the relationship. The father then confronted Fictum.
The father drove Fictum to the police station, but Fictum decided to talk to a lawyer before speaking to police, an arrest warrant states.
The names of the student and father are not being published because of the nature of the charge.
St. Petersburg High officials said Tuesday that Fictum was an assistant cross country coach for three years before becoming head coach in 2006. He was not a teacher.
Arrest reports state Fictum works at the insurance company Aegon and lives in Pinellas Park. He was warned before about giving students rides in his car, said principal Al Bennett.
When police told school officials they were investigating allegations of sexual misconduct, Fictum resigned at the school's urging, Bennett said.
Bennett met with students and parents last year to discuss the allegations. No more incidents involving other students surfaced, Bennett said, and Fictum was ordered to stay away from St. Petersburg High and its students.
Hebert said he was unsure why police and prosecutors took more than a year to arrest Fictum. St. Petersburg police spokesman Bill Proffitt said detectives are still investigating.
Fictum is a former runner for Dixie Hollins High School. He was first-team All Pinellas County in 1994.
[Last modified: Oct 09, 2008 06:06 PM]
Comments on this article
by Mrs. R
Oct 9, 2008 12:54 PM
Mr. Sharockman: SHAME ON YOU! These are only allegations under investigation and heresay, yet you publish this man's workplace and former school? Disgraceful writing! Check your ethics, Mr. Author!
by unknown
Oct 9, 2008 12:54 PM
I also knew lee and his family, I find it very weird that Lee would do something like this. I feel for his wife and 3 kids. He just ruined the rest of his life.
by Unknown
Oct 9, 2008 12:54 PM
Remember when our schools were a place of learning...now they seem to be meat markets for every child lover out there. People no longer have fear of consequence because there are none in today's society.
by BobMarley
Oct 8, 2008 5:08 PM
I went to high school with Lee and his twin brother Lyle. I feel for his brother, since he'll sure to be recognized as the perpetrator. I also feel for his wife and kid who have to live with this embarassment. Lee and this teenage girl was wrong!
by Unknown
Oct 8, 2008 5:00 PM
Wow. I can't believe this happened at my own school. Who would've thought. What's the world coming to these days? :/
by Bill
Oct 8, 2008 4:55 PM
So you write a story about him as if he is guilty till proven inosent
by Carol
Oct 8, 2008 4:52 PM
Man oh man..., what is wrong with people anymore. Then again, when there are tv shows like "Californication" as being "normal", should there be any wonder?
by Doug
Oct 8, 2008 4:48 PM
Hopefully, the police have more evidence than this article reveals. Publishing the man's employer will certainly get him fired.
by Gilbert Ford
Oct 8, 2008 4:45 PM
Not again! Make it mandatory that the minimum time served is 10 years if convicted in prison NO PLEA BARGAINS and NO PROBATION. JUDGES have no say, other than the rule of law. First time offender or not. This is absolutely appalling, lets get tough!
by gary
Oct 8, 2008 4:43 PM
if he were a hot, young female teacher and was with a male student....no worries!!!!!
by karl
Oct 8, 2008 3:06 PM
He's out on $100,000 bail yet the Lady in Tampa who was "foolin'" with the simpleton walks away scot-free. Kinda' sexist, don't you think?
by nick
Oct 8, 2008 2:51 PM
I went to school an iknew the man i didnt think he would have sexual relations with one of his athletes. That makes me sick inside to know that a man over the age is have a sexual relationship with a girl who is underage.
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