California High School Coach Arrested Over Secret Recording in Locker Room

Authorities have arrested a high school football coach in California after students discovered a cellphone covertly recording them in a school locker room. The incident occurred at Tracy High School, situated east of San Francisco. The Tracy Police Department identified the phone’s owner as Jeffrey Pribble, a 48-year-old educator at the school. Pribble holds the position of varsity football head coach and is part of the physical education faculty.

Pribble has served as a coach for five years and has been an educator in the district for 22 years. A student and classmates found the phone recording in the locker room. They stopped the recording, deleted the video, and reported it to a teacher.

That evening, a concerned parent alerted local police, leading school resource officers and detectives to initiate an investigation. The investigation led to Pribble’s arrest the following day. Currently, the Tracy Unified School District has placed Pribble on leave pending ongoing criminal and district investigations.

The incident came to light through an email from Tracy High Principal Jon Waggle to parents. While the school didn’t name the teacher involved or the specific allegations, it assured full cooperation with law enforcement. “We understand the news may raise serious concerns within the District community,” Waggle wrote. “The District too is concerned about its students’ and staff’s well-being and is committed to upholding high professional and ethical standards.”

Tracy High School emphasizes its commitment to safety. Waggle acknowledged the vital cooperation between students, parents, and staff in maintaining school safety.

According to Tracy Police Chief Sekou Millington, the department prioritizes the safety and privacy of students. “Our children deserve to feel safe at school and in every learning space,” Millington said.

The Tracy Unified School District stated that Pribble will stay on leave during the investigation. The district, along with local authorities, appreciates the students who reported the incident as well as the quick response from officers and detectives.