LaGrange Coach Travis Hart Accused of Having Sex With Student

A former assistant track coach at LaGrange High School is charged with having sex with a female student.

Police arrested Travis Hart, 24,  in February. Officials said the encounter with the 16-year-old student happened on school property after classes had ended.

Hart admits he had sex with the student, but claims it wasn't against the law.

"I think that it's a bad decision, but it was not a unlawful decision," Hart said.

Hart's attoey Jackie Patterson said that 16 is the age of consent in Georgia.

Hart was indicted on three counts of sexual assault of a person in custody. Georgia's code said the law refers to a "custodian or supervisor of another person who commits sexual assault when he or she engages in sexual contact with another person who is enrolled in a school and has supervisory or disciplinary authority over another person."

Patterson said that Hart was not a teacher, so the law should not apply.

"We're saying that this law does not apply to Mr. Hart because Mr. Hart is not a certified Georgia teacher," said Patterson.

Troup County prosecutors said they could not comment on an ongoing court case.

A judge will decide if the case moves forward on Tuesday.