Florida Catholic high school wrestling coach accused of beating naked students

By Deborah Hastings
New York Daily News
October 22, 2014

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/fla-teacher-accused-beating-naked-students-article-1.1982401?cid=bitly

High school wrestling coach Scott Stern was arrested Tuesday in Florida for allegedly making students undress, then beating them.

An instructor at Clearwater Central Catholic High School in Fla. has been charged with battery for allegedly beating naked students after forcing them to take off their clothes, authorities said.

A 45-year-old Catholic high school wrestling coach and history teacher has been arrested and charged with battery for allegedly "punishing" two students by forcing them to get undressed, then beating their bare bodies, authorities said.

Scott Stern was taken into custody on Tuesday in Florida by Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies, WFLA-TV reported.

His alleged victims were two male students at Clearwater Central High School. Stern resigned two weeks ago. Deputies began investigating earlier this month after receiving a complaint, WABC-TV reported.

In February, Stern ordered an 18-year-old to remove his clothing and then grabbed him by the groin and throat while screaming at him, authorities said. It was considered a form of discipline, WFLA-TV reported.

The second victim, a 17-year-old, was allegedly forced to take off his clothes numerous times by Stern, who then beat him on the buttocks with a ruler. Stern also strip-searched the boy, authorities said. The incidents occurred between August 2013 and May 2014.

Authorities say there may be other teen victims among Stern's wrestling and history students.