A former swim coach with Carmel Swim club and Carmel High School faces federal charges of child sexual exploitation and possession of child pornography after authorities say he engaged in a sexual relationship with one of the female athletes he coached.
John Goelz, 29 of Fishers, was arrested Tuesday and on Thursday remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. His detention hearing is scheduled for July 10, the office of the U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler announced on Thursday.
“Protecting our youth from sexual predators will always remain a top priority of this office,†said Minkler. “Those we put trust in to supervise and coach our children cannot be allowed to take advantage of them and will face tough federal prosecution.â€
Law enforcement officials on June 29 learned that Goelz might have been involved in a sexual relationship with a female minor who he coached for both the Carmel Swim Club and Carmel High School’s swim team. Goelz was an employee of Carmel Swim Club and began volunteering as an assistant swim coach with Carmel High School in the 2015-2016 school year.
Authorities were able to determine from screenshots of text message exchanges that the relationship dated back to February 2018.
When a detective met with a juvenile male on June 29 at the Carmel Police Department, the juvenile told him he had seen private messages on Instagram between a 17-year-old girl and Goelz that appeared to indicate Goelz and the 17-year-old were in a sexual relationship. He also told the detective that the girl had admitted to him that she was in a physical relationship with Goelz, according to court documents.
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