Tyler

By KENNETH DEAN and MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writers

Michael Burks, 29, of Whitehouse, who has worked as a Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic School girls' basketball coach, was arrested Friday on a charge of sexual assault of a child, according to jail records.

The allegation against Burks relates to an alleged relationship with a non-Gorman student, according to information from Gorman.

Smith County Sheriff's Lt. Larry Wiginton said Burks turned himself in to authorities Friday on the charge and was placed in custody.

The veteran officer said Burks and the girl had an ongoing relationship, and it was not a case of a predator and an unwilling victim.

"It was a consensual relationship with a lot of text messaging, a lot of conversations and they met in a couple of different places, including Whitehouse. We are still investigating at this time," he said.

Wiginton said that, although the victim was a "willing participant" in the relationship even though it was against the law.

Wiginton said the victim is 16 years old and, because of her age, she cannot consent to a sexual relationship.

"We had enough probable cause to obtain a warrant and make the arrest in the case. At this time we are not aware of any other victims, but anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's office," he said.

Wiginton did not know if Burks had retained an attorney as of late Friday, but according to records he was still incarcerated in the Smith County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Jail records also list alias names for Burks as Michael Stephen or Stephen Michael Burks and a birth date of March 26, 1979.

As of late Friday, authorities were not sure how the two met.

Gorman Principal Jim Franz said Burks is a part-time employee at Gorman and has worked as a coach at the school, not as a teacher. Burks was placed on suspension Aug. 15, Franz said. He has worked at Gorman for three years and came to the school from All Saints Episcopal School.

Franz said the allegations do not deal with behavior on the school campus.

"We're saddened by this issue and we're working with police authorities for its resolution," Franz said. "We're praying for the individuals involved."

Franz also said, "Gorman has a strong process of training all teachers, coaches and even parent volunteers in ethics and integrity. The program was developed by the Diocese of Tyler. All employees have to participate in that program upon hire and part of that process involves a criminal background check."

The principal said he met with the girls' basketball players and their parents to inform them an allegation was made, as well as to announce Burks' suspension and the start of the process of hiring an interim coach on Aug. 18. A statement about the situation was posted on Gorman's Web site on Aug. 19.

The statement posted reads, "Recently, allegations of an inappropriate relationship with an underage non-Gorman student have been made against Coach Michael Burks. During the police investigative stage of these allegations, Mr. Burks has been placed on suspension. Any concerns about this issue should be directed to the Gorman principal or police authorities."

Franz said that, since learning of the allegation, the school has tried to be very upfront and proactive to protect students and to make sure the investigation process can take its course.

Michael Burks
()