TPD: Parks employee asked teen for naked photo on Kik
TAMPA (FOX 13) - A City of Tampa Parks employee, and Tampa Bay Youth Football League volunteer coach, is accused of trying to convince a teen boy to send him naked photos of himself, in exchange for money, on the messaging app Kik, according to Tampa police.
Investigators said, between December 12, 2015 and February 29, 2016, 27-year-old Davarius Durham sent messages to a 15-year-old who played football for the team he coached.
Police said he asked the teen for photos of his genitals in exchange for $70. The victim did not send the requested picture.
Parents, meanwhile, came forward after hearing about the investigation to say some of Durham's behavior seems odd, in hindsight.
"One of the parents we know, he called their house and offered to buy cleats for the kids at inappropriate times of the night," Nikesha Lezcano said, whose son plays football in the same league. "It is scary. You have your kids out here, you trust them with the coaches and somebody who is a big influence on your children."
Investigators later found two others who may be victims of Durham. None of the three victims met Durham through City of Tampa Parks programs. Investigators added they do not believe any participants in those programs were victims, but they were still gathering evidence on the case.
They said anyone with information about Durham or potential victims should call the Tampa Police Department.
The president of the Tampa Bay Youth Football League said Durham seemed like the perfect coach. Background checks showed no concerning history and Durham came with rave reviews from city officials, as well as the added credibility of city employment.
"Anger is my second reaction. My first reaction is my heart goes out to the family. You don't wish this on anyone," TBYFL president Scott Levinson told FOX 13 News Friday. "When you get an employee from the city that works with children everyday, and has worked with children, you would think that's a dream volunteer."
Durham worked at an after-school program with the city at Williams Park. He also worked at the Tampa Boys and Girls Club, and YMCA of North Florida.
He was reassigned from Williams Park to a location where he would not work with youth when the city found out about the investigation on March 10. It is expected he will be released from his duties with the city after being charged.
"I want to say to TYFBL parents that they know the league, they know the people that run the league, and they know the great lengths we go to make sure their children are safe."
Police said Durham left Tampa April 6, but was arrested in Miami-Dade County April 8, and then brought to the Hillsborough County Jail April 14.
He faces three charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, use of computer device to solicit and unlawful use of a communications device.