Former Eden Dolphins Swim Club coach Glenn Nellis has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to rape charges last year.
The Buffalo News reports that Nellis was sentenced by the State Supreme Court on Friday morning. He was formerly the head coach of the Eden Dolphins, based out of Eden, New York.
Nellis, who goes by the name Chris based on his middle name, Christopher, pleaded guilty last August to a list of charges, The Buffalo News notes. The charges included rape in the third degree, promoting a sexual performance by a child and disseminating indecent material to a minor. All of those charges are felonies.
Nellis reportedly had an inappropriate relationship with a female member of the swim team who was 16 years old, per The Buffalo News. News surfaced last February that Nellis was under investigation for allegedly exchanging illicit text messages and photos with the girl, and The Buffalo News reports that he also allegedly had explicit photos of the girl saved on his computer.
The local ABC affiliate, WKBW, also reports that the 41-year-old Nellis had a “sexual encounter” with the underage girl in a local park.
WKBW also reports that Nellis will have seven years of supervision after he is released from prison, and an order of protection will be in place for the victim for the next 13 years, until 2029.
Nellis was banned for life by USA Swimming in May of 2015.
