PRINCETON, WV (WOAY) – A former Mercer County school employee and high school wrestling coach has been arrested for alleged sexual contact with a female wrestler on his team.
Travis Francisco was the head wrestling coach at Princeton High School. He was also a bus driver and owns Royal Fades Barber Shop in Princeton. Now, he faces seven charges of sexual intercourse, sexual intrusion, or sexual contact against students by a school employee.
The Mercer County School Board held an emergency meeting just this afternoon to deal with Francisco’s employment within the school system. The school board voted unanimously to approve Francisco’s termination within its transportation department and as a coach.
According to a criminal complaint, police began investigating on Jan. 28 after a meeting with several people, including a concerned assistant coach and the alleged victim. Police served a search warrant on January 29, and Francisco was booked into Southern Regional Jail on Feb. 4 at 2:45 p.m.
He’s being held on a 250,000 bond.
Francisco is accused of committing sexual acts with one student multiple times between the dates of Dec. 21, 2024, and Jan. 15, 2025.
It lays out multiple sex acts that occurred in hotels while traveling for wrestling events, within a locker room during a wrestling practice, and at Francisco’s business, Royal Fades Barber Shop in Princeton, while the alleged victim was supposed to be at school.
Francisco is also accused of sending the alleged victim explicit pictures.
This is a developing story. We will update you as we continue to track it.