A former swim coach in Parkersburg, W. Va., pleaded guilty to sexual abuse charges on Tuesday during a plea hearing at the Wood County Circuit Court.
David Andrew Adams, 38, appeared before Judge Jason Wharton to enter a Kennedy v. Frazier plea to five counts of sexual abuse of children between the ages of nine and 12.
The alleged abuse occurred between October 2018 and July 2022.
Under the Kennedy plea, also known as an Alford plea, Adams asserts his innocence while accepting the sentence and admitting sufficient evidence exists that would likely lead to a jury conviction if the case went to trial.
The prosecution argued that entering the Kennedy plea spared the victims from testifying and reliving trauma.
“The state believes it is furthering the interest of justice by not subjecting them not only to a public trial and testifying about what happened to them, but also sparing them from being subjected to cross-examination, your honor,” Special Prosecutor David Wayne Hancock said, according to local West Virginia outlet WTAP. Hancock, a prosecutor from Jackson County, was appointed special prosecutor due to a conflict of interest in the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, according to WTAP.
Family members of the victims spoke during the hearing and were adamant that they wanted Adams to admit guilt fully, or for there to be a trial where he could be proven guilty.
“Without a guilty plea, the families would like the opportunity of a trial to prove to our daughters the justice system works, and it is worth it to stand up for yourself and do what’s right,” said the mother of one victim, according to WTAP. ”When you sexually abuse a child, they are living with a life sentence of trauma. There should be some equivalence for the abuser.”
Wilson continued: “I feel like justice has not been served for these young girls that were brave enough to stand up and tell their truths and tell what their abuser has done to them. So many people don’t tell their stories because this is usually the outcome. The abuser is protected more so than the victims are ever protected in these situations.”
One victim’s father said, “The prosecutor has failed us and betrayed our children with this plea,” while another mother said, “We want a guilty plea. That’s all my daughter has asked for, is for him to say that he is guilty and that he did these acts.”
Adams formerly coached the Parkersburg Sharks out of the Parkersburg YMCA in West Virginia.
In June 2023, he was arraigned and given a temporary suspension from the U.S. Center for Safesport.
In August 2023, his status was updated to “ineligible” by SafeSport, and he was listed as permanently suspended by USA Swimming.
Adams faces one to five years in prison for each count of sexual abuse in the first degree, with sentences served consecutively. Given that he pleaded guilty to five counts in the first degree, he could face between five and 25 years behind bars. He also must pay a fine of up to $10,000 and will register as a sex offender after his release.
His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 27 at 9 a.m.
