CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — WINK Investigates has learned a convicted sex offender was able to spend months working with children as young as three years old as part of a youth sports group that would have practice at a local elementary school.
Douglas Ehmke appeared in a Lee County courtroom Monday for his arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges. Investigators allege Ehmke took calculated steps to circumvent sex offender registration laws to maintain employment with a youth sports league.
According to detectives with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), Ehmke worked for several months as an umpire for the Fort Myers chapter of i9 Sports.
The league held regular games at Pelican Elementary in Cape Coral. During this time, Ehmke worked closely with children between the ages of three and seven.
Ehmke has been on the Florida state registry for over a decade following a 2009 arrest in Orange County. Records from that case show Ehmke admitted to assaulting a “physically incapacitated” girl between the ages of 12 and 18 in a restaurant parking lot.
In his most recent arrest report, detectives say Ehmke was blunt about his motivations for lying. He reportedly told investigators:
“I didn’t report the job because I knew if I did, law enforcement would notify the employer, and I would not be able to work there.”
Ehmke is currently facing five counts for failing to register as a sex offender and violating Lee County’s child safety zone ordinance.
During Monday’s proceedings, Ehmke requested a public defender. The judge ordered him to be held without bond at the Lee County Jail.
Response from i9 Sports
Madison Gates, VP of Marketing for i9 Sports, issued a statement to WINK News:
“Thank you for your inquiry. The individual in question was an independent contractor umpire with a local i9 Sports independently owned and operated franchise in the Fort Myers area. This role was limited to officiating games during league play. This individual is no longer affiliated with the league or any i9 Sports programs.
The safety and well-being of the children and families in i9 Sports programs is our highest priority. i9 Sports policies require background checks for all staff and event personnel, and we expect franchise operators to strictly adhere to these policies.
We have cooperated with local authorities and are conducting a thorough internal review to ensure policies are consistently followed and to reinforce best practices across all i9 Sports programs.
At this time, we are not participating in on-camera interviews regarding this matter.”
i9 Sports says Ehmke only worked a total of 13 days.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) currently tracks more than 90,000 individuals in its database. Eli Lawson, an FDLE Special Agent in Charge, says cases like Ehmke’s highlight the ongoing struggle to ensure compliance.
“If they fail to provide any of that data, it could be a third-degree felony,” Lawson said. “The majority do comply with the registration requirements to avoid being charged, but it’s why the penalties are there. They’re severe.”
Tools for Parents
Law enforcement officials remind the public that the Florida Sex Offender Registry is a public tool designed for transparency. Parents can:
Search by address to see registered offenders in their immediate neighborhood.
Track specific offenders to see their current status and location.
You can visit the FDLE database here.
Douglas Ehmke is scheduled to return to court at the end of May. WINK Investigates will continue to follow this story as it develops.
WINK Investigates asked the Lee County School District what role it plays in verifying the background of third-party employees who use campus facilities.
Spokesperson Rob Spicker sent us the following statement:
“Under Florida law, the School District is required to conduct Level 2 background screenings on all non-instructional contractual personnel when students are present or under the jurisdiction of the school. During the standard school week, this restricted period extends from 30 minutes before the morning start bell until 30 minutes after the dismissal bell.
For facility use outside of these hours, such as weekend rentals, the School District requires any organization providing programs for or involving minors to comply with identical Level 2 screening requirements. Per District policy and the Master Lease Agreement, the Renter is contractually responsible for ensuring all staff and volunteers are cleared prior to arriving on campus.
Any Renter who fails to certify their personnel is in material breach of their contract. Such violations can result in the cancellation of all current and future lease agreements to utilize School District facilities.”