Editor’s note: The original version of this story incorrectly referenced an eyewitness account. There were no witnesses — apart from the involved parties — to this alleged crime. We regret the error and are happy to set the record straight.

NATCHEZ — A Natchez High School girls basketball volunteer trainer and former employee of the school district was arrested Friday for sexual battery involving a 15-year-old member of the team.

Natchez Police Department Detective Jerry Ford said NPD conducted the preliminary investigation of the incident, which allegedly took place at a hotel during a basketball tournament in Simpson County.

The tournament at Mendenhall High School took place Dec. 27-29.

Ford said NPD received a complaint from the Natchez-Adams School District Dec. 30 that a volunteer trainer and cafeteria employee Mike Chatman, 45, 1233 Daisy St., acted inappropriately with a student.

Chatman was contacted Friday by NPD, turned himself in and allegedly confessed to the sexually inappropriate behavior with the minor the same day, Ford said.

NASD Interim Superintendent Joyce Johnson said Chatman has been terminated. She said she could not further discuss personnel matters.

Part of Chatman’s duties as volunteer trainer included filming the basketball games.

Chatman was a non-certified, at-will employee of the district, NASD School Board President Wayne Barnett said. Administrators have the authority to fire at-will employees without due process, unlike certified teachers and administrators, who can appeal the action to the school board.

Ford said the victim reported the inappropriate behavior with Chatman to a teammate, who in turn told the assistant coach. The incident was then reported to the head coach, who reported the incident to the athletic director, who reported the allegations to the police, Ford said.

“The Natchez-Adams School District is going to follow the proper policies that we have in place for issues such as this,” Barnett said.

Ford said after consulting with the District Attorney Ronnie Harper, NPD made the arrest with a warrant from the Magee Police Department and conducted the investigation since all parties were in Natchez. Chatman has since been turned over to authorities in Simpson County, Ford said.

“At this time it is still an ongoing investigation, and we’re still working with Simpson County to make sure that we have everything that we need for the case,” Ford said.

Ford said sexual battery covers a broad number of offenses, including sexual acts — but not necessarily intercourse — with a person under age 16.