Englewood basketball coach Paul McPherson, a former NBA player, jailed on multiple charges

Paul McPherson, Englewood High School's now former boys basketball coach who played in the NBA, is facing multiple charges and sent to the Duval County jail on Thursday.

The 45-year-old was charged with four counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count each of possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and unlawful use of a two-way communications device, according to his jail and arrest report.

Duval County Public Schools spokesman Tracy Pierce said McPherson also served as the school's security guard. He said he was arrested in Clay County, where court records show he lives, but the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation.

"Under the presumption of innocence, he remains a district employee in a non-pay status, pending further action in the matter," Pierce said.

It has not been released whether the minor was an Englewood student.

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Englewood High Principal Marleny Chirino provided notification of the arrest to school families.

"The employee, Paul McPherson, was reassigned from our school to district duties with no student contact on Sept. 5 of this year following the initial allegations," part of her statement said. "While the presumption of innocence applies, I feel that it is important for you to know this has transpired. If you have information that you think might be helpful to law enforcement on this matter, I encourage you to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office directly.  Again, this is disappointing news, but I always want to keep you informed."

The arrest report is highly redacted under Marsy's Law for victim privacy, including any references to the minor's age or gender. Action News Jax reported receiving from a source an unredacted report that states the victim was a 16-year-old girl who came forward about the sexual activity to Englewood staff. During a brief court appearance Friday, the judge confirmed it involved a 16-year-old girl who also was given drugs during the incidents.

The report provided to the Times-Union by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office states the minor was interviewed on Sept. 5 and said McPherson offered rides on several occasions. The minor was told to walk down the street to the Krystal restaurant at 5707 Unversity Blvd. W., which is not far from Englewood High, so nobody would see the minor getting into his Maserati. The suspect would then pick the minor up, and the next part in the report is redacted.

The minor repeated similar instances occurred on Aug. 22 and Aug. 24 where they met at the Krystal, drove somewhere and parked. It's redacted after that. The suspect also provided his phone number to the minor, which investigators confirmed to be McPherson's account, according to the arrest report.

McPherson also had two recent traffic citations while driving a white 2018 Maserati, consistent with the minor's description. Investigators determined the vehicle is registered to a woman McPherson lives with. Search warrants were obtained for the vehicle and McPherson's cellphones. The minor's laptop computer also was provided. McPherson was brought in to obtain DNA and photographs, although the report redacts what he may have told investigators.

Jail records show McPherson was still in jail on $442,527 bail Saturday afternoon. His defense attorney tried to get that reduced during his court appearance, stating his history wasn't considered when it was set and also citing his limited annual salary of $25,132. The judge denied it noting the expensive Maserati he drives and the extent of the offenses in which he's accused.

Court records in Clay and Duval counties only show the two recent traffic citations against McPherson and two filings for child support.

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The Times-Union reported his hiring in September 2022, and the team finished 5-14. McPherson, a 6-foot-4 guard, played 55 games in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors during the 2000-01 season and averaged 4.8 points per game. The Chicago native attended Tallahassee Community College before transferring to DePaul University, which was then under former Florida State head coach Pat Kennedy. McPherson averaged 11.2 points with the Blue Demons and has also played overseas and in the BIG3 basketball league.

Englewood High's website currently lists the Rams basketball coach as "TBA" or to be announced.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville basketball coach and former NBAer Paul McPherson arrested