2nd person accuses soccer coach of sexual abuse

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A second person has accused a local soccer coach of sexually abusing him as a child.

Coach Ralph Wager and his attorney hoped to have his half-million dollar bond reduced on Wednesday.

But prosecutors say Wager targeted a 10-year-old boy in the 1980s while he practiced swimming at Catawba College in Salisbury and said that they have strong evidence in the case, including a tape recording of the accuser confronting the coach as an adult.

“The victim actually confronted Mr. Wager with some of these allegations.  It is important to note that Mr. Wager appears to apologize for the conduct,” said Assistant District Attorney Seth Banks.

His attorney, Darrin Jordan, argued Wager has strong ties to the community along with support from parents and other coaches and should have his bond reduced.

“I cannot tell the court the quantity and outpourings of support that has come into our office wanting to support coach Wager,” Jordan said.

Throughout the court appearance, Eyewitness News could see Wager shake his head back and forth as prosecutors described the evidence in the case, including a revelation that Catawba College took action against him during the time he was coaching at the school when the alleged incidents happened.

“The college actually took action and restricted his access to the pool facilities and told him he was not to have any contact specifically with the victim in this case,” Banks said.

Eyewitness News began emailing and calling Catawba College about what was done in the 1980s and whether they contacted police. Eyewitness News also went to the college, but they wouldn't let Channel 9 on campus or answer our questions.

WSOC