Coach arrested on rape charges

A Southgate Community Schools teacher was arraigned on four felony counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct Monday, after allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in August.

Paul Ivity, a physical education teacher at Gerisch Middle School and a junior varsity soccer coach at Southgate Anderson High School was arrested shortly before noon at the district's administration offices.

Ivity pleaded not guilty to the charges in front of 28th District Judge James Kandrevas and was held on a $100,000 bond.

Police said Ivity, 31, of Southgate met the girl, who was on the team, this summer for soccer lessons. After a lesson Aug. 19, police said Ivity and the girl went to his home, where they believe the alleged rape occurred.

Police said they believe alcohol was a factor in the incident.

In general, the Free Press does not identify victims of sex crime.

"This didn't occur at the beginning of or during the school year," said Southgate Police Chief Larry Hall. "This did not occur in a school building."

The alleged incident was reported after the girl went to a local hospital for an examination, Hall said. The hospital contacted police.

Since then, police and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office have been investigating.

Before police arrested Ivity, they contacted Southgate Community Schools to make the district aware of the charges.

Ivity has been a teacher with the district for four years, said Superintendent Dave Peden. He has been a boys and girls junior varsity soccer coach at the high school for about two years.

"I'm still numb," Peden said about the charges. "He looks like an outstanding young man, so we're just shocked."

Peden said Ivity was suspended with pay pending the outcome of the case.

Ivity could not be reached for comment.