James Harris, 43, pled guilty today and was sentenced to 11 years in prison for having sex with a child. He pled to the charge of Sexual Activity with a Child with an enhancement to the charge of “Being in a Position of Custodial Authority.” Harris was a basketball coach and teacher at Mariner High School in Cape Coral. The victim was a student. His sentence will be followed by 4 years of sex offender probation. Harris was also designated as a sexual predator. The plea agreement reached with the defendant and the State alleviates the juvenile victim from having to go through a trial and testify. Special Victims Unit Assistant State Attorney Michael Colombo Jr. prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
ssyoen@sao20.org
239-533-1125