Soccer coach pleads not guilty to lewd acts on a child under the age of 14
Youth soccer coach Stephen William Morgan, 31, was arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Indio on multiple charges of lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under the age of 14.
Morgan, a coach for UK International Soccer Camps was in the U.S. legally on an employment visa, according to his attorneys.
According to the DA’s complaint, one of the counts was committed in a car drive back from Los Angeles and another in a hotel room.
Four counts are said to have taken place at a restaurant. It’s unknown which exact restaurant they are alleged to have taken place at.
Morgan was a coach with UK International Soccer and has been working in Southern California for the company since September 2016, according to his LinkedIn page.
He was arrested Friday in Redlands by members of the sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau and pleaded not guilty to all counts this afternoon.
Morgan is being held on no bail and is expected to be back in court on October 4th.
We have reached out to UK International Soccer Camps and they issued this statement:
“UKISC is shocked and dismayed to learn that one of our coaches has been arrested on allegations of abuse of a child. We are distressed to learn that Mr. Morgan has allegedly done something so terrible.
UKISC unequivocally condemns the mistreatment of a child in any manner. We take these allegations very seriously
In 27 years of business, and thousands of coaches with UKISC, this has never happened before. Child safety is UKISC’s highest priority. We are conducting a full investigation. We have no reason to believe that there is any ongoing risk to children participating in our soccer programs.
UKISC first learned about the allegations against Mr. Morgan late last week. In response, they immediately removed Mr. Morgan from working with children pending the investigation. We have very little information at this point, other than the general nature of the allegations. We just learned this morning that the case was forwarded to the District Attorney’s office.
Our hearts are with the child and our prayers are for the child’s well-being during this terrible time. Mr. Morgan is still presumed innocent, and we do not know all the facts. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further on the ongoing investigations. But we are cooperating with the law enforcement to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved.”
KESQ and CBS Local 2 also reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies say anyone with information or concerns can contact either the Thermal Sheriff Station at (760) 863-8990, or your local law enforcement agency.
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