Richard Kyle CopelandA former teacher at Bradley Central High School pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of statutory rape and attempted statutory rape.
Richard Kyle Copeland, 34, an assistant coach and teacher, was placed on suspension in the fall of 2013. Authorities said a female student under the age of 18 contacted the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office saying she had an inappropriate relationship with Copeland.
According to a news release, three other students made similar allegations against Copeland.
The Bradley County grand jury originally indicted Copeland in 2013 on four counts of solicitation of a minor for statutory rape by an authority figure, and three counts of solicitation of a minor for sexual exploitation of a minor.