Massachusetts high school basketball coach charged with sexually assaulting student in 2022
LAWRENCE - A Massachusetts high school basketball coach has been charged with sexually assaulting a student in New Hampshire in 2022.
Manchester, New Hampshire Police said 34-year-old Jesus Moore of Manchester turned himself in Thursday and was charged with "aggravated felonious sexual assault."
In a statement Friday, police said he "had arranged for a female student to get a ride to Manchester, gave her alcohol and sexually assaulted her at a Manchester motel" back in 2022. They said the girl was a minor at the time.
Moore has been the head boys basketball coach at Lawrence High School since 2018 and a gym teacher there since 2017, according to his LinkedIn page.
Students and parents are shocked by the allegations, saying Moore had a big impact on students and the team's success. The team is currently 16-5 and ranked ninth in the state with the MIAA Div. 1 tournament opening next week.
"I just literally found out, and it's scary. It's scary to know that," said a Lawrence parent who wished to stay anonymous. "As a parent, I pick up my daughter. I drop her off. She doesn't go with nobody else. I wouldn't let them go with anyone else."
Manchester Police said they were alerted to the case by Lawrence Police after someone from SafeSport, a non-profit that focuses on abuse prevention, tipped them off.
While the organization can't comment about this specific case because it's still under investigation, they say the goal of the organization is to bring accountability.
"Since we've opened our doors we're seen a year over year dramatic increase in the number of reports," said Senior Director of Communications and Media Relations Hilary Nemchik. "Accountability is key to culture change because sport is supposed to be fun above all else, and if sport isn't safe, it can't be fun."
"Lawrence Public Schools are aware of charges filed by Manchester, N.H. police against a staff member, who is currently on administrative leave. LPS will have no additional comment on ongoing police and personnel matters," a spokesperson for Lawrence Public Schools said in a statement.
Moore was released on $1,000 cash bail. He will be arraigned in Manchester District Court on March 27.
Report here to the U.S. Center for SafeSport if you have experienced abuse or misconduct or if you have reasonable suspicion of abuse or misconduct inflicted on, or by, someone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. You can also call 833-587-7233 to make a report.
