Former Lexington basketball coach Vernon Tyler Thetford was charged in Cleveland County District Court with five felonies April 22.

He was booked into the Cleveland County Jail on Monday on charges including lewd acts, lewd or indecent proposals to a child under 16 and soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology.

According to court records,  Thetford sent multiple obscene photos to a student with inappropriate messages on them.

The Lexington Police Department is still investigating.

Thetford was hired as the Lexington boys coach prior to the 2022 season.