KBI arrests wrestling coach for sex crimes

COFFEY COUNTY – On Wednesday night, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a Kansas wrestling coach and teacher for sex crimes.

On Feb. 13, at approximately 7:15 p.m., KBI agents arrested Michael Vander Linden, 31, of Burlington, Kansas, at 401 N. 12th St., in Burlington. He was arrested on a warrant for eight counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Vander Linden is employed as a teacher and wrestling coach at Burlington High School.

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.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Victims of crime can also submit tips online at https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation is ongoing. No further information will be released at this time.