A former swimming and water polo coach in Utah pled no contest to multiple sexual assault charges this week in Fourth Judicial District court, a plea by which a defendant accepts conviction but does not admit guilt.
Jordan Meyer, 33, entered her plea after initially being charged in February 2024 with object rape, a third-degree felony, and sexual battery, a class B misdemeanor.
Meyer received a plea-in-abeyance term of 36 months, meaning that if she successfully completes all conditions during that period, the object rape charge will be entered as a reduced conviction for sexual battery, according to KSL.com.
During that time, in addition to not violating the law, she must complete a psychosexual evaluation and any recommended treatment, as well as register as a sex offender for the duration of the 36-month term.
Meyer had worked at Springville High School since September 2021 as the head girls’ swim coach before moving to Maple Mountain High School in 2022 to coach the boys’ team. She also coached water polo at Clyde Recreation Center.
According to Springfield police, three former swimmers, one as young as 15, and one fellow coach came forward claiming that Meyer sexually assaulted them between 2021 and 2022, with the allegations stemming from her water polo coaching.
The probable cause statement detailed instances of unwanted physical contact, including groping and penetration, that allegedly occurred during practices, KUTV reported.
Another alleged victim described having to physically break free during an incident in the pool, and when confronting Meyer about the behavior, she allegedly laughed and continued coaching.
In a separate incident detailed in charging documents, Meyer allegedly instructed a coach who had been hired as a goalie coach to get in the pool and play defense. While in the water, Meyer reportedly grabbed the coach inappropriately and held on for several seconds.
A separate incident involved a player asking Meyer for advice about defending against opponents who grab swimsuits, but Meyer allegedly grabbed the player inappropriately while demonstrating defensive methods.
When questioned by police, Meyer initially denied all allegations of inappropriate physical contact and any hazing incidents. She claimed she only touched players on their shoulders, arms, or back, though she later stated she might have grabbed them at their hip.
The Nebo School District learned of the allegations on January 12, 2024 and immediately placed Meyer on administrative leave. “When we conducted our own investigation, we really didn’t find any evidence of wrongdoing in our schools, or anything that had happened in our schools, and the individual was allowed to return to work at that time,” Public Administrator Seth Sorensen told KSL TV in February 2024.
Meyer returned to coaching on January 17, but was terminated from all her coaching positions upon her February 9 arrest.
Allowed to return to work on Feb 17 even though she was arrested on Feb 9?? “When we conducted our own investigation, we really didn’t find any evidence … or anything that had happened in our schools, and the individual was allowed to return to work at that time.” Multiple victims yet just let her go back to work. At a school! Utah is a joke when it comes to how they respond to any kind of abuse. Just ask Utah Senate President Stuart Adams.
To the gallows
Yesterday someone said “we got the weekly article” about something like this.
At this rate, we’re getting daily article.