MOORESVILLE, NC — A former middle school coach in Mooresville has been arrested and accused of sending sexual text messages to students.
WCCB Charlotte first reported the allegations against “Chip” Pickard on September 10. Police tell us he sent those text messages to two students at Mooresville Middle School. Investigators would not reveal what the messages said, but say the conversations went on for the past nine months. The school district found out and called police on September 8. Pickard resigned the next day.
Parents are surprised by his arrest, saying Pickard was a trusted PE teacher and football coach. “Yeah, definitely. It’s very concerning, and, you know, like I said, it’s shocking,” said Mooresville parent Reggie Spratling. “You never want to hear anything like that, especially when your child is involved in that realm that he runs in.”
Authorities say they don’t believe Pickard had physical contact with the children, but ask anyone with information on this case to call police.
