Charged with trying to arrange sexual encounter with a minor
By Chris Fish
cfish@hometownnewsol.com
BREVARD -- A former assistant football coach at Viera High School, who has been charged with trying to arrange a sexual encounter with a minor, is currently out on bond.
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office arrested 32-year-old Kevin Verpaele on Nov. 15 after authorities said Mr. Verpaele attempted to arrange a meeting with a Viera High School student, who is younger than 18. Mr. Verpaele posted his $105,000 bond on Friday, Nov. 16.
Lt. Todd Goodyear said Mr. Verpaele used electronic communication services, such as email and text messages, to solicit the minor to meet for a sexual relationship on three separate occasions.
Mr. Verpaele's three third-degree felonies indicate that he communicated with the victim, whose name has not been released, on Nov. 2, Nov. 7 and Nov. 8.
Lt. Goodyear said the communication between Mr. Verpaele and the victim was brought to the department's attention by a friend to the victim.
"(The communication between Mr. Verpaele and the victim) had been going on for three weeks," Lt. Goodyear said. "A friend of the student notified an adult who told the police about the communication."
After monitoring communication between the victim and Mr. Verpaele, authorities set up a sting operation, in which Mr. Verpaele thought he would be meeting with the student in person on Nov. 15. Once Mr. Verpaele arrived to meet with who he thought was the student, police arrested him.
Mr. Verpaele was Viera High School's defensive coordinator for its football team. He served as what is considered a "community coach" and received a stipend for his work.
Following the arrest, Viera High School fired Mr. Verpaele. Viera High School could not be reached for comment.
Lt. Goodyear said there will be no further charges filed against Mr. Verpaele in regards to this victim.