A former college football coach was recently charged with sexual assault of a child, allegedly involving eight boys in different incidents during a 15-year-period.
According to the allegations, a graduate assistant at the school says he saw the coach assault one of the boys back in 2002 in the showers at the team’s practice facility.
The former Penn State defensive coordinator had retired in 1999, after having spent three decades with the school. Apparently, he was allowed to continue using the school’s facilities to help at-risk children through a foundation he had established in 1977, entitled The Second Mile. Though he established this charity to help the young boys, he is now accused of using his position of authority to take advantage of the children he was trying to help.
Reportedly, the boys who were assaulted range in age, as do the allegations of misconduct of this highly respected and distinguished member of the community.
Though the 67-year-old has been aware of these accusations for the past three years, he denies any wrongdoing and maintains his innocence. Unfortunately, the allegations have now become public and his reputation will now be forever placed in jeopardy as he was arrested this past weekend. He was later released on $100,000 bail, but only after, he was arraigned on 40 criminal counts.
Among the charges against him are corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of a child, indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor, and multiple counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Obviously, these are serious charges that this public figure is now facing.
Interestingly, however, none of these accusations were ever reported to any law enforcement agency or child protective agency in a timely manner. In fact, no other investigation was made into any of the accusations. Only more recently have these accusations come to light.
Colorado residents may be wondering if there is more to this story. Are these accusations only a misunderstanding of something more innocent, or perhaps is someone trying to tarnish this man’s career with these allegations? Whether the evidence against this man can prove that he is guilty of the sexual assaults he is accused of will be a matter that will be addressed in a court of law.
Source: The Pioneer Press, “Accusations of child sex, cover-up rock Penn State,” Genaro C. Armas and Mark Scolforo, Nov. 6, 2011