'I Wanted To Look Out For Other Girls': Young Women Speak In Court About Former Coach's Assault

A former coach for Ninnekah High School pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts of rape by instrumentation and sexual battery Thursday.

Ronald Akins sat in the courtroom as two of the 14 girls told the judge what they'd endured and overcome. 

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Both young women said they were led to believe they were supposed to love Akins.

Shelby Boyd said in 2015, she went to the Grady County sheriff's office about the abuse, but nothing was done and her worst nightmare became a reality.

"He had done it before. He is going to do it again. I wanted to look out for other girls," said Boyd.

The second girl to come forward was Tristan Baker.

She attended court with her parents, and tears filled her eyes as she walked in, but after bravely sharing her story, she left with a smile.

She told the judge and Akins she will forever live with the consequences of Akins' actions, but also said she hopes his heart is changed and for him to glorify God.

The attorney of the 14 girls says the 15-year prison sentence given to Akins is one of the harshest he's seen, but it's not justice. 

“I think you heard Shelby Boyd's statement. This is a lifetime she carries this. No, we do not have justice. We do not have justice by stealing the innocence of a child," said Attorney Cameron Spradling.

As Akins was handcuffed and left the courtroom, he left without anything to share.

Spradling says a federal case is next involving school administrators accused of inaction.

Boyd said she went to the Grady County Sheriff’s Office in 2015, claiming Akins sexually abused her when she was 13 and attended Friend Public Schools. No charges were brought and the file went missing.

Federal Title 9 rule requires school administration to follow up, something they did not do, and shortly thereafter, Akins moved to the Ninnekah school district.

Akins was not arrested until another former player stepped forward in June of 2021, this one from Ninnekah.