An El Paso, Texas swim coach has been charged with sexually assaulting a child.
Wright Stanton IV has been accused of sexually assaulting a now 23-year-old woman when she was 15, according to court documents obtained by El Paso outlet KVIA-TV.
Court document state that the woman came forward and claims that Stanton assaulted her in 2015 while he was coaching her as a swimmer on the Southwest Aquatic Team in El Paso. She was also working as a lifeguard at Leo Cancellare Pool at the time.
In addition to coaching at the Southwest Aquatic Team, Stanton also spent 12 years as the head swim coach at Loretto Academy High School.
In her statement to detectives, the woman said that Stanton penetrated her in a back room at Leo Cancellare Pool while she was working. She also said a few days later she got into Stanton’s car with him where he penetrated her with his fingers.
Court records show that Stanton was arrested by Anthony, Texas police in April 2023.
Stanton was added to the U.S. Center for SafeSport database in February under “allegations of misconduct” while facing temporary restrictions.
On May 12, his status was updated to “ineligible” and he faces the following restrictions: “Criminal Disposition – Sexual Misconduct” and “Criminal Disposition – involving a minor”.
USA Swimming temporarily suspended him on Feb. 17. His status is subject to appeal.
Stanton has also spent time as the head coach at the Jewish Community Center, Tennis West, the El Paso Tennis Club, and as an assistant coach with the Fort Bliss Barracudas Swim Team in addition to his time at Southwest.
In 2022, he was awarded the James (Jimi) Raymond Flowers Coach of the Year Award by USA Swimming, which honors “coaches with outstanding inclusion of swimmers with a disability under the nominees’ direct coach assignment and/or promotion of swimmers with a disability and disability swimming within the nominee’s sphere of influence.”
Stanton was also named the 2016 El Paso girls’ high school swim coach of the year.
