Lacrosse Coach Accused Of Solicitation Was College Instructor

WESTERVILLE, Ohio — A former high school lacrosse coach accused of trying to meet a teen for sex was an instructor at Columbus State Community College, and school officials said he was teaching classes as recently as this month.

Richard A. Case, Jr. was arrested Tuesday by undercover police who posed online as a 13-year-old girl, 10TV News reported on Thursday.

Case, 34, faces charges including importuning and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

A Columbus State spokesman said Case has been teaching development education courses since September 2008.

During spring quarter, Case taught three courses at main campus, including basic communication skills, 10TV News reported.

He was dismissed as head coach of the Westerville North High School girls lacrosse team last month. Parents said Wednesday they were shocked by the accusations.

"It was kind of a difficult conversation, you know, I used it as an opportunity to explain to my daughter that no matter how well you know somebody, you don't really know them," said Jeff Hurl, president of the Westerville North Lacrosse Club.

Case's career as coach of the lacrosse team lasted only two years, 10TV News reported. He was fired in May because of his coaching philosophy, Hurl said.

"It turns out when they told me it was for soliciting a minor over the Internet, I was shocked," Hurl said. "Absolutely shocked and disturbed."

Westerville police said Case admitted he knew the girl was underage, and admitted he had child pornography on his home computers.

Investigators seized computers and other items during a search of Case's Westerville home.

Hurl's daughter, Taylor Hurl, learned about the charges against her coach, when her dad pulled her aside.

"It was kind of a difficult conversation. I used it as an opportunity to explain to my daughter that no matter how well you know somebody, you don't really know them," Hurl said.

There were more than 30 girls on the team.

Case passed a criminal background check when he was hired by the team, 10TV News reported.

Because the lacrosse team is a club sport at the high school, the school district is not involved in paying the coaching staff or managing the program.

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