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  Former Coach Faces Child Porn Charges Involving Student

By Andrea F. Siegel
Baltimore Sun
September 26, 2011

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-09-26/news/bs-md-ar-coach-porn-20110926_1_sexually-explicit-photos-archdiocese-sexual-contact

A former track coach at Archbishop Spalding High School is facing child pornography charges after Anne Arundel County police said he exchanged sexually explicit photos by cellphone with a 16-year-old student involved with the team.

Brian Timothy Funk, 40, of Pasadena, who was to become a track and field coach at Catholic University of America this month, turned himself in to police Sunday on one count each of allowing a minor to engage in child pornography and displaying an obscene image to a minor.

Charging documents claim that over about five months, Funk and the girl met, kissed and exchanged sexual images, including videos, by cellphone. The girl's father spoke with Archdiocese of Baltimore officials after he saw his daughter and Funk leave a movie theater in Linthicum on July 16 and kiss, the documents allege.

Funk, a married father of two young children, was fired soon after, charging documents say. He has withdrawn from the university coaching job, a spokesman for the school said.

Funk did not respond to a telephone message seeking comment. He is free on bail.

Anne Arundel County prosecutors said state law prevented them from adding a sex charge because Funk was a part-time volunteer coach rather than a full-time employee.

The law says a full-time, permanent employee who supervises a student — even if the student is between ages 16 and 18 — can be charged with a sex crime if they have sexual contact with a student.

"Basically, the law excludes coaches," said Kristin Fleckenstein, spokeswoman for the county state's attorney's office.

Funk has been barred from working or volunteering at any parish or school in the archdiocese, and is not allowed at any school campus or activity, according to a letter sent Monday to Spalding families.

Contact: andrea.siegel@baltsun.com

 
 

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