High school coach charged with sexual abuse arraigned virtually in Carter County

CARTER COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) - A high school coach and teacher arrested and charged with 1st degree sexual abuse appeared virtually in court for his arraignment Wednesday afternoon in Carter County.

Harlee Estepp appeared at the Carter County Justice Center over Zoom from the Carter County Detention Center. His attorney entered a plea of not guilty.

High school coach charged with sexual abuse

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for April 21 at 9:30 a.m.

Estepp’s attorney requested a bond reduction from $50,000 to $25,000, saying Estepp made no effort to flee since the investigation started three years ago and has no criminal history.

The judge denied that request but said the issue could be revisited.

“The nature of the allegations alone indicate danger to some degree,” the judge said.

Kentucky State Police arrested Estepp on March 19.

The investigation began in 2022 and was initiated after law enforcement received information regarding Estepp’s interactions with a juvenile, according to KSP. The indictment says the alleged crimes happened between August of 2021 and May of 2022.

Estepp, 28, was the varsity boys and girls track and field coach at Paul Blazer High School as of the time of the arrest, according to the Ashland Independent Schools superintendent and a website associated with the school’s athletic programs.

However, KSP says the matters under investigation are connected to events that transpired prior to his current employment.

Ashland Independent Schools Superintendent Sean Howard told WSAZ last week they are not commenting on the arrest or Estepp’s employment status.

Estepp’s X account lists him as a special education teacher, assistant football coach, and track coach at Ashland Blazer High School.

According to court documents, Estepp is also charged with “procuring or promoting the use of minors by electronic means.”

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