Image Credit: Rhea County Sheriff’s Office
Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –
The now former coach of the Rhea County High School girls’ varsity basketball team was arrested last week on four child sex abuse offenses after a grand jury returned an indictment just days after he resigned from his position at the school.
Tracy Kenneth Vest, 54, faces three counts of sexual battery by an authority figure against a minor older than 13 and one charge of continuous sexual abuse ranging from March 13 to March 26 of 2026.
The charges state that Vest used his position of trust for the alleged offenses and accused him of intentionally touching a minor’s buttocks, per the indictment.
According to his personnel file, Vest started at the school as a physical education teacher and coach on Aug. 1, 2019, and resigned from Rhea County’s employment effective March 27, though his name does still appear on the schools’ list of staff as of this writing. His resignation at the end of March came just five days before the grand jury returned the indictment.
Rhea County schools confirmed Vest is no longer a district employee and Director Amie Lonas stated that the high school addressed the situation, followed proper procedures, and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Vest is currently out of custody on a $200,000 bond. Before his employment in Rhea County, his file shows he worked as a physical education teacher for a high school in Jackson County, Alabama for 25 years.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
