Former Students Shocked by Escambia County Coach's Charges

By Jackalyn Kovac
WEAR
March 30, 2017

http://weartv.com/news/local/former-students-shocked-by-escambia-county-coachs-charges-03-30-2017

[with video]

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WEAR) — At least six more people have come forward claiming former Sunday school teacher, assistant football coach and paramedic, Charlie Hamrick, sexually abused them, according to Escambia County Sheriff's Office (ECSO).

ECSO said those claims must be investigated, but they continue to ask for any potential victims to come forward.

"Our prevailing hope and wish is that there are no more victims, but looking at the case and looking at the situation we find ourselves in we do not believe that is true. So we are encouraging and urging people that if you have information in these cases or any other cases, if you know there are victims out there, or you're a victim out there, please give us a call. Because crimes like this can never go unanswered," said Chief Deputy Chip Simmons.

Hamrick faces more than 40 charges of sexual abuse, including 36 counts of capital sexual battery.

The alleged acts took place between 1997-2016.

On Thursday, Hamrick appeared in court on a couple of his charges, including lewd and lascivious behavior on a victim 12 years old up to 16 years old.

Hamrick worked in several local churches including Harvest Church in Cantonment.

The Pastor told Channel 3's Jackalyn Kovac over the phone, Hamrick was a volunteer for the Royal Ranger's program; mainly working with children under 13 years old.

He was last seen at the church in September; right around the time he was first arrested by ECSO.

Hamrick was also involved in community sports. He was an assistant football coach at Tate High School from 2012 - 2015.

In the 1990's he was teaching taekwondo.

Channel 3 News searched video archives and found video of Hamrick during a taekwondo match in 1993.

The video was shot four years before the first set of alleged incidents occurred.

Vernon Stewart was one of his students in the 1990's and was shocked by the allegations.

"He was a good instructor at that time, I considered him a role model. He was like a coach. Someone that I looked up to. he was a fourth degree, fifth degree black belt at the time and of course we all aspire to be like him. It was a tough pill to swallow," Stewart said.

The arrest reports outlined the abuse between Hamrick and children whose parents trusted him, often at a home in Pebble Creek subdivision and his current home in Beulah.

Investigators are asking anyone who believes they are a victim or knows someone who is a victim to come forward.

Channel 3 also confirmed Hamrick worked as a paramedic for Escambia County EMS in the 1980's and 1990's.

His next court appearance is scheduled for April 20.