Former Catawba College soccer coach indicted on child sex charges www.privateofficer.com

 

SALISBURY NC Aug 1 2012 A grand jury has indicted former Catawba College soccer coach Ralph Wager on child sex charges in connection with offenses that allegedly occurred more than two decades ago.

Wager was indicted on nine charges in all, including multiple counts of first-degree sex offense, crimes against nature and taking indecent liberties with a child, according to court filings released Tuesday.

The alleged acts occurred between 1987 and 1989 when the victim was 9 and 11 years old, according to arrest warrants filed earlier this month.

Wager, 69, had been set to appear at a probable cause hearing Wednesday, but the grand jury indictment means that proceeding is no longer necessary. He remains in jail under a $1 million bond.

The indictment came amid new reports that some of the alleged sex acts occurred on the Catawba College campus.

The Salisbury Post reported Monday that investigators believe some of the abuse occurred in a home and office Wager had on campus. They also said abuse allegations prompted Wager to resign, the newspaper reported, citing filings by prosecutors.

Those court filings were not available on Tuesday.

Catawba is working with outside investigators on its own probe into the claims, including interviewing former employees. A judge recently ordered the college to turn over documents as part of the Wager investigation.

Wager has been a fixture in the youth soccer community for years. He most recently worked at the Steele Creek Soccer Club in Charlotte, but has been suspended indefinitely by the N.C. Youth Soccer Association

Source:www.charlotteobserver.com