DEL RIO, Texas – In a significant legal ruling, a former coach at Sabinal High School, Kenneth Wayne Mulkey, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, as reported by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday. This case highlights critical concerns regarding the safety of minors in digital spaces and the responsibilities of adults who work with them.
Mulkey, 44, pled guilty to one of two counts of attempted enticement of a minor on August 11, 2025. The charges stemmed from incidents that occurred on October 11, 2024, when Mulkey utilized the social media platform Snapchat to initiate a conversation with a user, inquiring about their age, sex, and location. This alarming behavior raises questions about the implications of social media use, particularly among educators and minors.
Upon identifying himself as a 14-year-old boy, Mulkey disclosed that he was a 40-year-old football and track coach. He then proceeded to request a sexually explicit photo from the minor. Geolocation data retrieved from his cellphone indicated that Mulkey was merely 40 meters (approximately 0.02 miles) away from Sabinal High School while he was sending these messages, a fact that underscores the alarming proximity of the adult to the school environment.
The following day, Mulkey sent a sexually explicit photo of himself to the user and engaged in discussions about graphic topics. Such actions not only violate legal statutes but also breach the ethical standards expected of educators and mentors in the community.
Authorities took Mulkey into custody on January 31, 2025, leading to an indictment on February 19, 2025. In light of these serious allegations, the Sabinal Independent School District promptly removed him from campus and placed him on administrative leave, reflecting the institution’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its students.
This case serves as a reminder of the vital importance of safeguarding minors against potential exploitation and emphasizes the need for vigilance among parents, educators, and students alike in recognizing and reporting inappropriate conduct in both physical and virtual environments.
