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A Peoria High School basketball coach is now facing fresh accusations of sexual misconduct involving a student, specifically that he abused the student in his office.
These recent allegations were added to Peoria County Circuit Court records on Monday. They follow a prior set of charges from last week, which accused Daniel C. Ruffin of sending sexually inappropriate messages to another student.
In the latest developments, Ruffin, aged 41, is being charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child, and grooming, according to Anna Perales, a spokeswoman for the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office.
Given Ruffin’s position of trust, the charge of abuse could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years if he is found guilty. The other charges each carry potential sentences of up to three years in prison.
The case from last week includes similar charges of indecent solicitation of a child and grooming.
The Peoria County Sheriff’s Department arrested him on Tuesday, Feb. 10, Perales said, on the new allegations.
The charges come after Ruffin allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with a student, with some encounters taking place in his office, Perales said.
The girl came forward after Ruffin was charged last week in a separate case involving another student. A warrant for his arrest was issued, she said.
The Peoria Police Department was called at 9:20 a.m. on Feb. 4 to the high school due to a report of an alleged solicitation of a minor by a school employee, Perales said.
When officers arrived, they allegedly found messages on a student’s phone that were deemed “inappropriate,” and Ruffin was arrested, she said.
Because Ruffin had no prior history, he was released with conditions; however, he was re-arrested on Tuesday after information about another victim was made available, she said.
That girl, now 18 but who was 17 at the time, said Ruffin allegedly engaged in sexual acts with her, Perales said. Police also allegedly found several “explicit text messages” from Ruffin to the student on her phone.
Peoria Public Schools spokeswoman Marjorie Kauth said last week that he was placed on leave, and the status of his employment is unclear at this time following the more recent charges.
Ruffin was in his sixth year of coaching the Lions’ varsity basketball team. He won two state titles while a student at Peoria High and was also a standout guard at Bradley University.