Local teacher and coach not formally charged

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A local JV football coach and teacher booked on one count of aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation was back in court on October 10, 2022 but was not formally charged. 

After reviewing the facts in the case and police report, prosecutors determined not to charge 31-year-old Jacob Ray Williams with any crimes.

This means Williams will be released from custody as soon as Monday evening

He appeared in front of Judge Gregory Stewart. 

According to the Yuma Police Department (YPD), the 31-year-old allegedly tried to solicit nude photos from a woman he believed to be a 17-year-old.

Before allegedly sending a nude photo of himself.

“No the person was not 17 but he believed that she was 17 and he still sent the inappropriate picture,” said Sgt. Lori Franklin, Yuma Police Department.

The Yuma Police Department says he made contact with the woman through Instagram. 

“The subject that he made contact with, the person does live here, but stated that they lived out of state. It’s one of those things where you don’t know who’s contacting you,” said Franklin.

The woman he was communicating with reported the case to YPD leading to his arrest. 

As he was a teacher and coach, we reached out to both districts he worked for after finding out he was not formally charged. 

The Somerton School District says it will be speaking on Williams’s employment status at Tuesday evening’s district board meeting. 

Meanwhile the high school district still says he's no longer an employee of Yuma High School.