Man Arrested for Repeatedly Trespassing by Posing as Wrestling Coach at High School

Man Arrested for Repeatedly Trespassing as Wrestling Coach at J.P. Taravella High School

Chandler Daniel Simmonds {BSO}

By Ryan Yousefi

A man faces trespassing charges on school grounds after repeatedly impersonating an assistant wrestling coach to bypass security at J.P. Taravella High School.

On May 15, records show the Coral Springs Police Department captured and arrested a man, later identified as Chandler Daniel Simmonds, 26, of Tamarac, after a string of incidents in which he impersonated a Taravella assistant wrestling coach to access the school, once successfully. 

According to the arrest report, the first trespassing incident occurred in January when Simmonds gained access to the campus through the east gate, where a security officer confronted him. 

The security officer told CSPD that Simmonds falsely claimed to be an assistant wrestling coach at the school. After attempts to verify his claims were unsuccessful, he was escorted off the campus.

The second trespassing incident allegedly occurred in February when school security again apprehended Simmonds after witnessing him jumping over the east gate onto the campus. 

School security then instructed him to leave the school grounds and never return. Law enforcement was notified, but the school administration did not request to bar him from the school officially.

The third and final trespassing occurrence happened in May when Simmonds was found by the school’s athletic director lifting weights in the school gym. He was asked to leave, and video footage of the incident was submitted as evidence. 

Upon running a background check, CSPD discovered that Simmonds had an outstanding warrant in Illinois and a suspended license. 

CSPD tried to serve Simmonds with a barring notice at his residence and, in a coordinated effort with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, attempted, but were unsuccessful, locating him. 

With Simmonds repeated trespassing efforts combined with law enforcement’s inability to locate him, out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of students and school personnel, Tarvella school officials decided to press charges.

Simmonds was located and taken into custody near the 5000 block of Northwest 51st Court. He was then transported to the Broward County Main Jail.

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Author Profile

Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi
Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiple outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.

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