Peoria High School boys basketball varsity head coach Daniel Ruffin was arrested Monday on child solicitation charges involving a 16-year-old female student.
Peoria police officers interviewed and subsequently arrested Ruffin, 41, on charges of indecent solicitation of a child and transported him to Peoria County Jail. During the investigation, officers viewed "text message communications on the teenβs phone that were determined to be inappropriate in nature," according to a news release from the Peoria Police Department.
Officers had been dispatched to Peoria High on Monday regarding the alleged solicitation of a minor by a school employee.
A phone call and voice message left for Ruffin were not immediately returned Monday night. Peoria High athletics director Ben Mahan declined comment Monday night.
Ruffin, who is in his sixth season with Central, has coached the Lions to a 17-6 record during the 2025-26 campaign. He won his 100th career game on Saturday against Moline.
Peoria High went 29-7 last season highlighted by a Class 3A Elite Eight appearance. The Lions are atop the Big 12 Conference standings at 7-0.
Central travels to Manual on Tuesday night for a league contest. Itβs unclear if Ruffin will be on the sidelines for this rivalry game.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria High coach Daniel Ruffin arrested on child solicitation charges
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