Chad Brooks, a former teacher at Knoxville's West High School, is facing a new charge of sexual battery by an authority figure following the discovery of an additional victim. WATE reports that the latest indictment came after the Knoxville Police Department undertook further investigation into Brooks' conduct.
Brooks, who also worked as a coach, was indicted by a Knox County grand jury on September 24. He was booked into the Knox County Jail on September 26, where he is held on a $75,000 bond, according to court records and the jail roster. The new charge added to his list from May, which included 16 counts of aggravated statutory rape and statutory rape by an authority figure against one victim between January 2024 and March 2025. WVLT News obtained documents showing that Brooks had been directed to leave school-issued equipment in his classroom, yet he allegedly asked another employee to remove items, including his laptop.
Knox County Schools, in a response to the allegations, chose not to renew Brooks’ contract for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. The former coach was initially placed on paid administrative leave in early April this year, pending a law enforcement investigation, WBIR confirmed. His arrest comes amidst a broader probe into misconduct at West High School, which also led to the arrest of former assistant coach Richard Shaver in May on charges unrelated to Brooks' case.
In connection with that broader inquiry, Shaver was charged with four counts of sexual battery as an authority figure after allegations were lodged against him for having illicit contact with a student. He was charged in Sevier County and arraigned on charges including sexual battery by an authority figure and attempted sexual battery by an authority figure. The Knoxville Police Department's Special Crimes Unit, which was investigating Brooks, was made aware of the misconduct involving past and current students and has been diligent in bringing the cases to light, encouraging victims to come forward.
