Former teacher accused of taking minor home, sexually assaulting her while his family was asleep upstairs

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV/Gray News) – A former teacher and coach in Missouri is charged with statutory rape on alleged crimes dating back to 2009 and 2010.

In June 2026, the charges were filed by the Independence Police Department against 56-year-old Mark Amos of Independence.

The offense dates for the charges include two statutory rape counts on Aug. 1, 2009, and one on March 23, 2010.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Independence police were contacted about the allegations in February 2026.

Allegations of rape

A woman told police that in 2009 she was a minor under the age of 17 and that Amos began “making frequent comments” about her appearance in person. He also allegedly made comments in Facebook messages and texts.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the woman told police that Amos would take her to his house to have sexual intercourse while his family was upstairs sleeping.

She said this would also happen in his car.

Court records show others witnessed messages between the victim and Amos that reflected a “relationship-type tone.”

She told police that she remembered at least five incidents of sexual intercourse.

The victim alleged Amos told her not to tell anyone about the relationship and that “they would both get in trouble, that he would lose his job and family and that others would think less of her.”

Independence police contact Amos

In March 2026, Independence police searched Amos’ home, arrested him and recovered his phone.

A detective later obtained a search warrant for Amos’ phone and found 10 screenshots of the victim’s social media profile over the span of five years. Police said the screenshots confirmed he continued monitoring her for years.

Police also said they found communications on his phone consistent with prostitution-related activity. Through another search warrant, the detective found messages that showed negotiation of payment, arrangement of meeting locations and confirmation of in-person encounters.

Amos confirmed at least one meetup.

According to Jackson County Detention Center records, Amos was taken into custody on July 15 and posted bond the next day.

History as a teacher, coach in the metro

Officials with the Crest Ridge R-VII School District confirmed that Amos worked for the district from August 2013 to June 2017.

As of July 21, Amos was listed online as an assistant softball coach at MidAmerica Nazarene University. The college said he was employed there from spring 2017 to spring 2021.

Amos’ biography on the university’s website stated he worked with the Independence School District and Grain Valley School District before MidAmerica. The Independence School District confirmed he worked there from 2008 to 2011. Grain Valley School District said, “Mr. Amos was employed at Grain Valley Schools from 1994 to 2006.”

Amos’ attorney, Allison Young, shared a statement regarding the allegations.

“We cannot speak on the case due to confidentiality; however, we look forward to providing our client with exceptional representation, as we remain steadfast in our defense of Mr. Amos,” Young said.

Amos also had experience working with at least one youth sports organization separate from schools.

The Sports Performance Youth Academy said in a statement, “Mark was a contracted coach for Evolve Softball, an organization that our facility is partnered with. We have been partnered with Evolve since August 2025. He was dismissed by the organization as soon as there was any knowledge of what had happened.”

Amos was due in court on July 22 for a bond review hearing.