Palestine Basketball Coach Arrested After Alleged Campus Assault

Palestine High School basketball coach Maurice Montez Heade was arrested after police said he allegedly assaulted his 15-year-old son on campus. Authorities said the incident happened after Heade was told his son was sleeping in class. Heade faces a felony assault charge, and Palestine ISD has placed him on leave while the investigation continues.

The incident occurred around 2:46 p.m. when a school resource officer at the high school was alerted to an altercation in a hallway, according to a post on social media by the Palestine Police Department.

READ MORE: UIL Suspends Gainesville Football Coach

Palestine ISD Places Employee on Leave

Heade is the head basketball coach for Palestine High School boys basketball team. He was placed on leave while the incident is investigated.

According to the release, Heade lunged from his chair in response to a comment made by his son.

Heade struck the child in the face and tackled him into several chairs while the officer attempted to pull Heade off the child and repeatedly ordered him to release him. Once the officer pulled Heade off the child, the child was taken to the nurse’s office.

Get our free mobile app

Heade Faces Felony Assault Charge

Heade was arrested and booked into the Anderson County Jail on a charge of assault of a family or household member by impeding breath or circulation. Additional allegations of prior abuse have been reported and are being investigated, which could result in additional charges, according to the PPD.

We will continue to follow this case as it continues to develop.