COFFEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities have arrested a Kansas wrestling coach and teacher for alleged sex crimes.
Just after 7p.m. Wednesday, KBI agents arrested 31-year-old Michael Vander Linden of Burlington, Kansas, at 401 N. 12th St., in Burlington, according to a media release from the KBI. He was arrested on a warrant for eight counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
Vander Linden is employed as teacher and wrestling and cross country coach at Burlington High School. He also directed the drama club and theater productions, according to the school web site.
In June 2022, the KBI initiated an investigation after the Coffey County Sheriff’s Office took a report from a former student of Vander Linden’s who reported a sexual relationship that took place in 2012 and 2013, when she was a sophomore and Vander Linden was a student teacher.
The investigation led to a second former student who reported she also had sexual intercourse with Vander Linden on multiple occasions in 2013, when she was 15-years-old.
After the arrest, Vander Linden was booked into the Coffey County Jail.