Doherty basketball coach admits to physical relationship with a 16-year-old player in court documents
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- Doherty High School Girls' Basketball coach George Pollard, 31, admitted to having a physical relationship with a 16-year-old player as recently as last week, according to court documents obtained by KRDO.
In the affidavit, an officer with the Colorado Springs Police Department interviewed the 16-year-old, Pollard, and went through explicit text messages and photos exchanged between the two.
Detectives say they found 495 images exchanged through the phone. In the affidavit, photos noted as particularly relevant were of sexually explicit lyrics, photos of a man's covered penis, and the 16-year-old in underwear. Police believe the man in the photos is Pollard.
The most recent photo was shared on Monday, June, 7.
While interviewing the 16-year-old, she said she was initially doing one-on-one workouts with Pollard. She told investigators the workouts slowly progressed to watching films in the basketball office before eventually kissing. However, the affidavit said she did not recall the first time they had physical contact.
According to the affidavit, their physical relationship continued to the point where Pollard attempted to have sex with the 16-year-old, but she said no. However, the affidavit notes that interaction did not stop and he continued to physically abuse her.
During the interview, the 16-year-old recalled another incident where Pollard performed a sex act on her. She was unable to describe further details of this incident.
The last incident occurred on Wednesday, June 9, in the basketball office. According to the affidavit, the 16-year-old told investigators they were kissing and stopped when Pollard had to leave to pick up another coach.
While interviewing Pollard, he initially told officers he never had any sexual contact with the teen. Later on in the interview, he admitted to kissing her and physically touching her. He did deny ever having sex with the 16-year-old. The affidavit doesn't say whether or not he denied performing a sex act on her.
According to the affidavit, Pollard claims the relationship was "harmless" and it became something more.
Pollard has been suspended indefinitely by Colorado Springs District 11 where he coaches basketball, as well as by Academy District 20, where he is a paraprofessional.
Academy School District 20 released a statement on Sunday regarding the arrest stating Pollard has been placed on administrative leave and that the 16-year-old victim was not a student in their district. The statement also said the alleged assault did not happen on their campus.
On Monday, an El Paso County Judge granted Pollard a bond and ordered him to not have any contact with the 16-year-old. As of Tuesday, Pollard is out on a $15,000 bond.
