Police say Chatman sent several e-mails to the girl, and that he also discussed the alleged incident during an online chat with an undercover FBI agent posing as the 16-year-old girl.
(BEAVERTON, Ore.) - A male cheerleading coach in Beaverton is in custody over charges of of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl aboard a late April flight from Chicago to Portland.
32-year old David Aaron Chatman who lives in the Rock Creek area, was arrested by FBI agents Monday evening, on two federal counts of abusive sexual contact.
He was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Paul Papak, according to the Beaverton Valley Times.
If he is convicted, Chatman could spend a maximum of two years in prison, he also could potentially receive a $250,000 fine. Chatman was indicted under federal law because the alleged abuse took place on a domestic airline flight.
It is reported that Chatman began his role as a part-time varsity cheerleading coach at Southridge High School in September 2003. The school has suspended him, pending the outcome of the federal investigation and indictment.
Students and families from Southridge High will be notified of the situation by the school district, to determine if there were additional, possible victims.
The Beaverton Valley Times reports that Chatman, a 1992 graduate of Aloha High School, also is a cheerleading coach with West Coast Extreme All-Star Cheerleaders of Tigard. A company employee curtly declined to comment on the arrest Tuesday afternoon.
On this particular trip on April 24th, Chatman was escorting about 20 cheerleaders on a Southwest Airlines flights from a competition in Orlando. That is when the alleged abuse took place.
At some point during the flight, investigators said he put his arm around a 16-year-old cheerleader and fondled her.
According to reports, the girl was asleep and covered with a blanket when the fondling began. She said she woke during the abuse, but was afraid to say anything. She said she pretended to be asleep as it continued.
Hillsboro Police were contacted by the girl’s parents. Hillsboro PD then turned the matter over to the FBI.
It is also alleged that Chatman sent several e-mails to the girl around the end of April, and that he also discussed the alleged incident during an online chat with an undercover FBI agent posing as the 16-year-old girl.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
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