FeedsHockey coach arrested on sex charges
The Plymouth-Canton Hockey Association (PCHA) suspended a coach accused of being an Internet predator this week.
Ryan Thomas Fawkes, 31, was arrested outside his home in Livonia on Monday and charged with soliciting a minor and disseminating lewd materials to a minor over the Internet.
Attorney General Mike Cox said that Fawkes allegedly exchanged messages in an Internet chat room on multiple occasions between Oct. 3 and Oct. 26, with an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old boy.
According to a statement from Cox’ office, Fawkes “solicited the undercover agent for online sexual activity, sending lewd Webcam video images of himself, as well as other adult pornographic images, to the agent.”
The arrest by the Child and Public Protection Unit sent a ripple effect to Detroit, where Fawkes is a seventh grade science teacher, and to the Plymouth-Canton area, where he coaches about 15 players, aged 16-17.
The hockey association posted a statement on its website explaining Fawkes’ suspension from coaching. Kathy Barile, president of the PCHA, made the decision based on the seriousness of the charges, but noted that Fawkes is innocent until proven otherwise.
“The allegations against Mr. Fawkes have nothing to do with his activities as PCHA coach. During his suspension Mr. Fawkes is prohibited from participating in or attending any activity involving the PCHA, including his attendance at games regardless of where they are played,” the PCHA said in the statement.
Charles Clos, an attorney for the association, said in an e-mail Tuesday that the PCHA has a formal hiring process, which includes a criminal background check that coaches must undergo each year.
“This same procedure was utilized in the appointment of Mr. Fawkes, whose background investigation was completely negative,” said Clos.
Fawkes has volunteered as a coach for two-three years and had prior coaching experience in other communities, added Clos.
Meanwhile, Cox asked parents who think their child might have had contact with Fawkes over the Internet to contact the attorney general’s office at (313) 456-0180. The office said parents should check their children’s “buddy lists” for the screen names “Nate Thompson” and “John Olsen.”
Fawkes was arraigned in 16th District Court in Livonia before Magistrate Dennis Epler. He is charged with one count of using a computer to accost and solicit a minor (10-year felony) and two counts of using a computer to disseminate sexually explicit matter to a minor (four-year felony).
“It is particularly disturbing when those who are placed in positions of trust are accused of committing sex crimes against children,” said Cox. “Parents should never have to fear for the safety of their children in the classroom or when participating in youth sports.”
Fawkes received a 10-percent cash bond of $50,000, with conditions that he may not have unsupervised contact with minors and may not use the Internet. He is due back in court for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. on Nov. 16.
