Softball coach admits sexting 15-year-old

ATLANTA — A softball coach accused of sending suggestive text messages to a 15-year-old has pleaded guilty.

Robert Keith Payne, 35, admits he sent a Milton teenager lewd text messages soliciting her for sex.

A judge sentenced him to five years of probation for enticing a minor for indecent purposes. Payne must also register as a sex offender and he is not allowed to have any unsupervised contact with minors.

Payne was a coach with Stealth Softball, a traveling league based in Cumming. The victim played on Payne's team.

Channel 2's Mike Petchenik tried to contact Payne for comment but found his Forsyth County home for sale, and no one apparently home.

Police said Payne's conduct should serve as a warning to others in positions of power who try to prey on children.

WSBTV