UPDATE: Former LaPorte coach found guilty of sexual misconduct, child seduction

July 13, 2011|WSBT-TV Report

LAPORTE — Prosecutors built a strong case against a former LaPorte High School coach. On Wednesday a jury found 46-year-old Robert Ashcraft of Fish Lake guilty of having sex with one of his volleyball players, a 15 year old at the time.

As a coach for the Slicers volleyball team for at least two seasons, Robert Ashcraft was in a position of trust. But allegations of an inappropriate relationship with one of his players abused that trust.

"With coaches and school teachers, you want to be able to trust them, not worry about that kind of thing," said Julie Buck, who lives in LaPorte and has followed the case.

Ashcraft was convicted of Class B felony sexual misconduct with a minor, Class C felony sexual misconduct with a minor and Class D felony child seduction.

The victim told police she had multiple encounters with Ashcraft in his pickup truck for more than a year. She claims the first kiss happened in the LaPorte High School parking lot and the two had sex near the dumpsters outside the LaPorte County Fairgrounds

Investigators also learned the former coach gave her a cellphone to talk and text.

Police found several texts between the two.

WSBT News called and left a message for Ashcraft's defense attorney, Steven C. Snyder, who accused the victim of lying.

LaPorte County Prosecutor Bob Szilagyi said, "When you have parents and other students testify to the inappropriate conduct they witnessed and the love letters he wrote, I think the jury added that together."

In the court of public opinion the victim is in everyone's thoughts and prayers.

"It would be difficult for me to deal with something like that," said Meghan Miza of LaPorte.

"I hope she's a strong enough person," said Buck. "It sounds like she has a good family. [I hope she] stays strong and does what she wants to do in life and keep going."

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