Florida Coach Facing Additional Molestation Charges After More Victims Come Forward

More victims have come forward to accuse a beloved Florida track coach of molestation. He is facing additional charges in conjunction with the new accusations.

Darius Lawshea, 45, the head coach of the Miami Xpress Track and Field, turned himself on Sunday to face two counts of child molestation charges and three counts of sexual battery on a minor, according to WVSN.

Now, he’s facing an additional two counts of child molestation and one count of sexual battery on a minor after two more victims have come forward.

WVSN is reporting that according to an arrest report, a 15-year-old victim told authorities that Lawshae would inappropriately touch, and he would record her. Additionally, a second victim came forward and told police that he would make her perform sexual acts. The abuse occurred when she was between 12 and 13-years-old.

The initial charges against Lawshae stem from two sisters who accused him of molesting them both. Both of the sisters were members of Lawshae’s track club, and both were age 14 when he began abusing them.

One of the sisters, now 24-years-old, came forward to say that the coach raped her ten years ago. She decided to come forward after learning he molested her younger sister last year. 

She did not come forward sooner because she knew the coach was “loved by everyone in the community,” but “she knew it was important to finally speak up,” according to an arrest affidavit obtained by WPLG.

Lawshea was denied bail at his court appearance on Monday. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.