PULASKI COUNTY -- A former Waynesville High School assistant football coach was charged Thursday with three counts of attempted second-degree statutory rape against a 16-year-old female student. Scott D. Ballard, 23, was charged with the Class D felonies in Pulaski County Circuit Court. Associate Circuit Judge Greg Warren set Ballard's bond at $100,000.

A report filed by Sgt. Michael Denney of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department indicated the investigation began when state authorities received a hot line report of sexual misconduct and referred it to him Jan. 16.

According to court documents, the charges stem from alleged incidents in November and December. The student told her father she had been to Ballard's mobile home on two separate occasions without her parents' knowledge and that he had tried but failed to have sexual intercourse with her during both visits.

Ballard also tried to have sex with her in her car but failed that time as well, according to the victim's statement. If convicted, Ballard faces up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine on each of the three charges. KRCG TV has learned Ballard's resignation was accepted at a Board of Education meeting Tuesday night. He had been employed by the district since the start of the school year.