A former assistant tennis coach at Wichita State University was arrested recently on charges related to child sex crimes, according to reports from Wichita, Kansas. Max Wheeler, as per records from Sedgwick County Jail, was detained on Sunday, facing accusations that include four counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a minor, two counts of criminal sodomy, and two counts of electronic solicitation. These alleged offenses involve a child aged between 14 and 16 years old.
As of Monday afternoon, Wheeler was not listed among current inmates. Wichita State University initially announced Wheeler’s appointment as an assistant coach for the women’s tennis team in September 2023; however, his biography has since been removed from the university’s website. In response to inquiries, Wichita State provided a statement on Tuesday acknowledging Wheeler’s recent arrest and clarifying that he had been employed in a temporary, part-time capacity during the 2023-24 academic year, with his association ending in April. The university emphasized its adherence to background check protocols for all individuals involved in coaching roles but declined to comment further on the employment status of volunteers or staff members.
According to Lt. Aaron Moses of the Wichita Police Department, no specific details related to the case are currently available for release. As of Tuesday morning, no formal charges had been filed against Wheeler.
Before his tenure at Wichita State, Wheeler had a background in tennis, having played at Wichita Collegiate and later at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri.
The arrest of Max Wheeler has raised significant concerns within the Wichita community and beyond, highlighting the importance of stringent background checks and vigilance in safeguarding youth in educational and athletic environments. The case underscores the gravity of allegations involving child exploitation and serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with positions of authority and trust, particularly concerning vulnerable populations.
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