“The organization was unaware of the former member’s prior history and record with the law. As a non-profit organization, we are not required by law to obtain background checks of our members or volunteers.
Due to the current situation, the organization has agreed to immediately mandate background checks into our bylaws in order to volunteer for the program. This will ensure from this point foward that we have the appropriate volunteers to achieve our mission within our organization.
“We hope that this revision reassures the safety of our participants and volunteers as a number one priority. We appreciate the continued support of our community and the Wee Arrows Nation.”
EARLIER REPORT
A Clark County man facing federal child pornography charges served as a football coach for a youth organization in Park Layne for the past two years.
Timothy Kenneth Wright, 45, of New Carlisle, is being held in jail following his Dec. 22 arrest. He’s charged with one count each of possessing and distributing material containing “visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of a minor,” according to records with the U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio.
Earlier this year, Wright served as a volunteer coach for the Park Layne Wee Arrows youth football organization with first through third grade team, President Buck Brown said. The organization sent a one-call notificiation to parents that said Wright has been released from his position due to the allegations, he said.
“We’re trying to take all the right (precautions),” Brown said.
Wright pleaded not guilty to the charges. A detention hearing was held Thursday in Magistrate Judge Michael J. Newman’s courtroom in Dayton.
Court records show the case against Wright was filed on Dec. 15 and he was arrested by U.S. Marshals the following week. The charges show Wright was accused of having materials of a minor under the age of 12 engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Wright was sent to prison in 1996 for three years after being convicted of a similar offense involving a minor in nudity material.
He previously lived in Fairborn and in 2010 he was charged with failing to register his address in Greene County. Wright is not currently registered as a sex offender in the state of Ohio.
Due to his prior conviction, Wright is facing a minimum mandatory sentence and an increased maximum sentence for both counts, including up to 25 to 60 years imprisonment, according to court officials.
The Wee Arrows organization does not perform background checks, Brown said, which is similar to other youth organizations in the Park Layne area. However, the organization plans to perform background checks moving forward.
“To ensure the safety and well-being of our children and organization, ALL board members, coaches, and volunteers will be background checked every year from this point forward. The safety and security of our children remains our number one priority,” the team’s website said on Thursday.
The program was unaware of the 1996 arrest, Brown said. He was surprised by the allegations, he said.
“No one knew anything about it,” Brown said.
Wright’s picture is also being deleted from Wee Arrows website, Brown said. He served as a coach the last two seasons, Brown said.
“He was great with his players,” Brown said. “You would’ve never thought it.”
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