Ten years ago a local cheerleading coach was in the news, accused of child sex abuse charges. Today, Maurice “Moe” Jerralds finds himself back at the top of the headlines facing similar charges.
He was acquitted in 2001 when he coached at Spirit Station Gym in Chesterfield and in Henrico. A company that’s now under a new name.
Numerous athletes and their parents rallied around Jerralds then and cheered when he was cleared. His job welcomed him back to work.
These days, he’s facing a new legal battle. CBS 6 News has obtained a copy of a November 14thindictment. The Henrico Circuit Court document gives very few details about the allegations.
We’ve learned Jerralds is facing 8 felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor under fifteen and with a minor under eighteen. The document reveals he’s accused of committing these crimes while maintaining a custodial or supervisory relationship with the two girls.
CBS 6 News spoke with an athlete by phone who says Jerralds coached her when she was at Spirit Station Gym for about 7 years.
She described herself and her parents as staunch supporters of Jerralds in 2001 when those first allegations surfaced.
“He was loved by everyone. No one had anything bad to say about him. I looked up to him and a lot of other people did too. We supported him then but this time it’s just the opposite. This time I’m not quite shocked at all” said the athlete who declined to give her name.
The indictment alleges the crimes happened between September of 2007 and August of 2009. CBS 6 News has not been able to confirm exactly where Jerralds was working during that time frame.
We found a website for a gym in Maryland that introduced Jerralds as a new employee back in May of 2011. CBS 6 News reached out to the owners of that gym and to Jerralds’ former employer here in the Richmond area and we have not yet heard back.
Our message to his newly retained attorney went unanswered Wednesday as well. Jerralds remains in the Henrico jail. He’s due back in court next Wednesday.
Refresh this page and watch CBS 6 News for updates on this developing story.
