Former Ardmore baseball coach Christopher Kennedy has been arrested and charged with second-degree rape, according to Carter County court documents.
Kennedy, 31, allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with a female student under the age of 16 while serving as a coach at Ardmore High School.
Kennedy made his initial court appearance on Monday, entering a plea of not guilty.
Special District Judge Carson Brooks set bond at $75,000.
If convicted, Kennedy could face 1 to 15 years in prison. His next court date is scheduled for December 11, 2025, at 8:30 AM.
The arrest follows an investigation initiated in March 2025, after the Ardmore Police Department received information regarding Kennedy’s alleged misconduct with the former student.
Ardmore City Schools promptly placed Kennedy on leave and removed him from school property.
His resignation was approved by Superintendent Andy Davis and submitted to the school board in June.
In a statement, Ardmore City Schools emphasized their cooperation with law enforcement and state agencies:
“After learning of the conduct in March, ACS administrators took swift action and immediately reported the conduct to local law enforcement, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education. ACS continues to cooperate fully to ensure justice is served. The safety and wellbeing of students remains our top priority.”
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Ardmore Police Department spokesman Sgt. Matt Dunn acknowledged the sensitivity of such investigations:
“These investigations involve public trust and are always tough to work. The position Kennedy held was one of trust with children in our community. Detective Landon Gary conducted an outstanding investigation, which was submitted to the district attorney, who chose to file charges.”
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As the case progresses, law enforcement officials say they are prepared to present a thorough case in court, emphasizing that the use of technology in modern investigations often requires careful evaluation to build a complete case.
