Former teacher/coach waives preliminary hearing in case involving teen

A former high school volleyball coach waived his preliminary hearing Friday for charges relating to a relationship with one of his players.

Nieko “Nicko” Miranda, 43, of Lawton, waived his hearing scheduled for Friday afternoon before Comanche County Special District Judge Christine Galbraith for a felony count of sexual battery, records indicate. The crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

When asked for a comment regarding the case, Miranda’s lawyer, Lawrence Corrales responded: “Not at this time.”

Miranda was charged on March 13 after the mother of the girl at the center of the case took text messages and the girl’s cellphone to Lawton Police after she’d discovered the teen was staying at Miranda’s house, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Investigators said a digital analysis of the teen’s phone revealed messages between Miranda and the teen dating from November 2023 to Feb. 11, the affidavit states. Some messages were described as “explicit” between the teacher and student. Along with references to meeting in Miranda’s classroom and at the home were sexual talk between them and references to her being his girlfriend and of being together following her graduation from high school.

Miranda had been a computer science teacher and head girls volleyball coach at Eisenhower High School since June 2022. Lawton Public Schools said Miranda is no longer employed.

Following the revelations of the relationship, the girl, who turned 19 in January, finished school through virtual learning and graduated in May.

On June 6, through Corrales, the girl submitted a motion to the court to have the no contact order between Miranda and her lifted. In Corrales’ request, she asked that due to being 19 years old and having graduated high school, she “wishes to have contact” with his client.

No action on the motion had been taken as of Friday.

Miranda, who was identified as female in Comanche County Detention Center records, has been free on $30,000 since March 15. As part of the bond conditions, Miranda is to have no contact with the teen, shall not work at any school or be on any school property and not violate any laws.

A formal arraignment will be at 9 a.m. June 27 for Miranda before District Judge Scott D. Meaders and the case is expected to be presented during the October/November jury trial docket.