Former High Plains coach facing numerous charges

A former para educator and coach at High Plains Community Schools is behind bars. According to the Merrick County Sheriff’s Office, Jonathan Scheerer-Hamm of Clarks is accused of being in a “sexual relationship with a student.” 
The 28-year-old, who went by the name J.T. Hamm when coaching the HPC boys basketball team last season, faces 10 counts of possession of child pornography after an investigation allegedly revealed that he had engaged in sexually explicit digital communication with a student via his cell phone. The Merrick County Sheriff’s Office reported that numerous sexually explicit videos and pictures were exchanged between the teacher and student. 
A social media post from the sheriff’s office said the suspect was found in possession of the graphic material on his device, which was seized as evidence, and noted that additional evidence has been collected to support the charges. The investigation remains ongoing at this time.
An official at HPC confirmed that Scheerer-Hamm is no longer employed there, but declined to comment any further.