Former Coach Arrested For Sex Crimes

Sports coaches are often trusted members of a community. They help kids do their best so they can excel at sports. However, they have access to children and teens of various ages, so there is the opportunity for them to get too physically and emotionally close to children and even abuse them.

A 48-year-old former coach from Sebring was arrested on August 23 by Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies due to allegations of sex crimes. The man faces three counts of lewd and lascivious behavior, molesting a child under 12, tampering with evidence, and obstructing justice.

The Highlands County Sheriff Department received a sexual abuse complaint on August 6. The caller, an unidentified woman, stated she got a text from an unknown phone number. The sender told her not to go to the defendant’s home anymore because he was allegedly touching minors inappropriately.

Police investigated and discovered that the man had similar allegations against him in the past. In 2017, there was allegedly an inappropriate text on his phone from a student on the cross-country team he coached at Sebring High School. The coach went on a trip to Walt Disney World with the team while he was being investigated, even though he was not supposed to do so.

The school board investigated the allegations and fired the man in October 2017. In 2019, the man was charged with trespassing on school property and was ordered to pay fines.

There was another complaint against the coach in 2017, this time by a member of a different school’s track team. However, the alleged victim, who was 18 years old, did not want to have the charge investigated and later said it was false.

Of the charges the man is facing, three counts are potentially life felonies. Detectives already know of multiple other cases and think there could be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

False Sex Crime Allegations

Sometimes a person can be accused of something they did not do. Indeed, sex crime allegations can be false. Here are some reasons why:

• Misunderstandings or miscommunication. What one party perceives as consensual may be viewed differently by another, leading to accusations.
• Malicious intent. Some people may falsely accuse someone of a sex crime due to personal motives such as revenge or custody battles.
• Influence or pressure. Outside influences, such as friends, family, or legal advisers, may pressure someone into making an accusation.
• Mental health issues. In rare cases, people suffering from mental health issues may make unfounded claims due to delusions.

Seek Help for Your Criminal Defense Case

Lewd and lascivious behavior charges can be life felonies. You could spend the rest of your life in jail.

Do what you can to avoid serious penalties. Call the Dade City & Zephyrhills lewd & lascivious behavior attorneys from Madonna Law Group right away and see how we can help. To schedule a consultation, fill out the online form or call (800) 557-0411.

Source:

midfloridanewspapers.com/highlands_news-sun/news/former-coach-faces-lewd-and-lascivious-charges/article_d40432ce-64a8-11ef-b0a4-8f4faa22ffe3.html