HASTINGS, Minn. - A former youth swimming coach is charged with criminal sexual conduct for allegedly having sex with an under-age swimmer.
Alfred John O'Neill of Savage appeared in court Thursday in connection with the allegations, which the victim says occurred during the time frame of 1988-89. The investigation began in June of this year when the alleged victim called Burnsville Police and reported she had been sexually abused multiple times by her youth swimming coach when she was under the age of 18.
The woman explained that she decided to report the abuse after a recent contact she had with someone from Safe Sport, a non-profit organization investigating and responding to reports of sexual misconduct within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic programs. The victim told officers that she started swimming for O'Neill when she was 14 and he treated her as a favorite. She says he increased the time he spent alone with her beginning when she was 16, and by age 17 he had started engaging in sexual contact with her.
When questioned by police O'Neill reportedly admitted having sex with the girl, but insisted it occurred when she had turned 18.
“A student athlete can easily be manipulated into a sexual relationship by a coach whom the student trusts, and such relationships can have long-term negative impacts upon the victim," said Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom in a written statement. "I wish to commend this victim’s courage in coming forward many years after this alleged crime occurred.”
