By Sgt. Jack Nash
PIO OCSO
The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident involving two individuals following allegations of providing alcohol and marijuana to juvenile students associated with the Okeechobee High School girl's basketball program.
One individual was reported by others as a volunteer assistant girls basketball coach; however, it was later determined that she was never an approved volunteer or coach, had never applied for volunteer or coaching status, and was not authorized in any capacity to interact with students. The second individual had no affiliation with Okeechobee High School or the Okeechobee County School Board.
On Jan. 23, 2026, deputies with the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office responded after receiving a call from a concerned parent who reported that their child, a student-athlete on the girls' basketball team at Okeechobee High School, had returned home intoxicated. The investigation was immediately initiated and led by Ivan Sanchez, Investigator with the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office.
During the investigation, Investigator Sanchez learned that the teen, along with several other female basketball players, had been invited after hours to a private residence occupied by adult individuals. While at the residence, the juveniles were allegedly provided alcoholic beverages and marijuana. This information was corroborated by video evidence discovered during the investigation.
Investigators also determined that adult suspects actively instructed and took steps to ensure that the juveniles deleted photos and videos related to the incident and directed the group to block one another on social media platforms after learning that a criminal investigation was underway. This conduct is being addressed as part of the criminal investigation.
Throughout the investigation, the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office worked closely with the Okeechobee County School Board, keeping them informed as the situation developed. The School Board fully cooperated with the investigation and opened all available avenues of assistance to support law enforcement efforts.
Further investigation confirmed that Jasmine Shanks was never an approved volunteer, coach, or employee of Okeechobee High School or the School Board, nor had she applied for any such role. Investigators also determined that her presence with students occurred without the knowledge or consent of Okeechobee High School administration.
As a result of this investigation, any claimed or reported affiliation by Jasmine Shanks with Okeechobee High School athletics has been formally revoked. The head girls basketball coach was relieved of their coaching status due to violations related to oversight and policy compliance.
Any administrative or coaching-related actions taken in this matter are handled by the Okeechobee County School Board and may be addressed through the School Board Office, not the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office.
Jasmine Shanks, date of birth May 15, 2003, will be charged with the following offenses:
• Three counts of Interference with Child Custody, Florida Statute 787.03(1)
• One count of Tampering with Evidence, Florida Statute 918.13(1)
The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone with additional information they believe may be relevant to this investigation contact Investigator Ivan Sanchez with the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office.
The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office takes allegations involving the safety and well-being of juveniles extremely seriously. This investigation remains active.
