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High School Principal’s Son, A Track Coach, Charged With Sexually Abusing Student

   DailyWire.com
Track sprinter taking off from starting block/Getty Images
Track sprinter taking off from starting block/Getty Images

Last Friday, a Waldorf, Maryland high school principal’s son, the volunteer track coach, was charged for sexually abusing a student.

According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged abuse occurred to a former Westlake High School student where the accused, 32-year-old Jason Roberts, began coaching in the 2017-2018 school year. His mother, Diane Roberts, has been the principal of Westlake High School since 2018. 

According to his LinkedIn, Roberts attends North Carolina Central University Law School, where he’s the vice president of the Christian Legal Society (CLS). Roberts also served as a youth leader with Victory Christian Ministries International for 13 years, where he organized Bible studies, Sunday services, and conferences.

In an April Facebook post, Roberts shared a picture of the Westlake Track and Field Team seniors to congratulate them on graduating.

“Nothing but love for my seniors over the past four years,” wrote Roberts.

Roberts also participated in a Black Lives Matter protest with students the weekend following George Floyd’s death. In a Facebook post, he thanked the Charles County Sheriff’s Office for allowing the protest — the same agency that announced the charges against him this past week. 

“I have to thank the professionalism of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police for allowing us the space and freedom to march out some of the pain, anger, and frustration we are feeling; they provided more support than your fearless leader of color who claims ‘Charles County Matters,’” wrote Roberts. “Also, it was great seeing a lot of students and teachers joining in solidarity this afternoon.”

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Superintendent Maria Navarro said in a statement that the district removed Roberts as a coach upon learning of the charges against him. Navarro shared that Roberts had a clear background check on file with the school system. Additionally, Navarro shared that CCPS would host a public meeting to discuss the allegations against Roberts in the near future. 

“CCPS does not condone any inappropriate conduct between staff, volunteers or any other adults affiliated with the school system and students. Anytime a report is shared with us about alleged misconduct, whether it involves students and/or staff, it is provided to police for investigation,” stated Navarro. “Keeping schools, staff and students safe are the main priorities of CCPS and police are not able to investigate what they do not know.”

From January to July, Fox News reported that at least 181 K-12 educators were arrested on child sex-related crimes. As The Daily Wire reported in April, officials sometimes overlook egregious cases like that of California high school teacher Matef Harmachis.

There have been other sexual abuse charges against educators since Fox News’ analysis in July, such as the charges against another former coach in West Virginia earlier this month. There have also been charges against administrators who fail to report sexual abuse. A Connecticut elementary school principal and three staff members were charged recently for not reporting abuse allegedly committed by a fourth-grade teacher. 

Investigations into Roberts are ongoing. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office requested that anyone with information contact the detective on the case. Those who prefer to remain anonymous should contact the Charles County Crime Solvers.

The CCPS community may also reach out via the school district’s “See Something Say Something” tip line. 

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