For those who are put-off by the new USA Swimming requirements that even meet officials are required to run background checks and sit through sexual abuse training, here is evidence why.
Ernest Harvey Shepherd, a 58-year old from Augusta, Georgia, was sentenced to 10-years and 10 months in prison earlier this week for attempted online enticement of a minor, according to the Augusta Chronicle.
Shepherd reportedly had made plans via facebook with what he thought was a 14-year old girl to meet for Mexican Food and a stay at an econo-lodge, only when he showed up for the rendezvous, law-enforcement was there to greet him.
The investigation of Shepherd began when parents of a 16-year old girl whom Shepherd met at a local swim meet reported questionable online communications from the man. The FBI’s Cyber Crimes Child Exploitation Task Force then posed undercover as the 14-year old mentioned above and nabbed him upon arrival at the prearranged location.
Investigators believe that he had inappropriate contact with as many as 25 other girls between the ages of 12 and 17.
This is evidence of why anybody who has direct contact with swimmers at a swim meet, including on-deck officials, needs to be both checked and educated.
USA Swimming protection officer Susan Woessner said in a statement that “Shepherd is not and has never been a member of USA Swimming” according to their membership records.
Shepherd was very involved in GHSA swimming( Georgia High School Association) and in local summer league swimming…. However, for other reasons, (not necessarily related to his crimes at least initially,) he was VERY often at club swimming events
He may not have been a member of USA swimming,( dont personally know) but members of his family were. This in no way implicates or infers his family was culpable or that USA Swimming was. Just stating the facts.
I am honestly shocked at how many perverts there are in society. I’m glad this guy and the Gator Swim Club coach have been weeded out of US swimming.