According to detectives, a Plant City caretaker is in jail for taking advantage of one of the very people he was supposed to protect.
Detectives arrested Brian Coffee, 55, Tuesday for the sexual battery of a mentally and physically disabled adult at an Assisted Living Facility in Hillsborough County.
"To take advantage of them when they're not only physically unable to defend themselves, but mentally they have no idea what's being done to them, it's just tragic," said Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Corp. Larry McKinnon.
McKinnon says Coffee used his position as caretaker to access his victim.
ABC Action News is not naming the Assisted Living Facility in order to protect the victim's identity.
"They end up convincing them that the inappropriate or criminal behavior that they're engaged in, the sexual activity, that there's nothing wrong with that," said McKinnon.
McKinnon warns that the deception can often steer victims away from reporting crimes.
ABC Action News has learned, Coffee has worked at several Assisted Living Facilities across Hillsborough county dating back to at least 2009.
Brian Coffee also has a long history as a bus driver for Polk County Schools.
Wednesday, ABC Action News discovered Coffee has worked for the district for about seven years.
In that time, Coffee has been disciplined for verbal abuse against children.
The district took immediate action against Coffee, terminating him and issuing this statement:
"We are aware of the arrest of Brian Coffee, and the Polk County School District is taking this matter very seriously. Based on information received from law enforcement in their investigation, we are moving forward with terminating his employment.
This year, he served routes for George W. Jenkins Senior High, Medulla Elementary, Lakeland Highlands Middle, Mulberry Middle, James W. Sikes Elementary and Kingsford Elementary.
In addition, there was a complaint that he pushed down a student this year, but a review of available video showed this to be unfounded."
Coffee remains in the Hillsborough County Jail with no bond, charged with sexual battery.
If anyone has knowledge of any unreported victims please contact HCSO at 813-247-8200.
