Two BHS coaches face charges
Published 5:00 am Thursday, May 16, 2002
BROOKHAVEN – Two Brookhaven High School coaches have beenindicted on a variety of charges following a sexual harassmentinvestigation that began in late February.
Aurelio Quinn, 25, of 726 Lipsey St., and Ronald Gill, 49, of1582 Calvary Dr., were served with court papers and arrestedWednesday morning after being indicted during Monday’s grand jurysession.
Quinn, the school’s head fast pitch softball coach, is chargedwith three counts of attempted sexual battery, one count oftouching, handling or feeling a child for lustful purposes and fourcounts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Gill, headgirls basketball coach, is facing three counts of touching,handling or feeling a child for lustful purposes.
A Brookhaven Police Department investigation began after theDistrict Attorney’s Office received a complaint about allegedsexual harassment and inappropriate touching of students inFebruary. The police investigation was completed in March andinformation turned over to the DA’s Office.
“They felt we had enough to take it before the grand jury,” saidPolice Chief Arlustra “Pap” Henderson.
The case was continued for further investigation during an Aprilgrand jury meeting.
Henderson said an estimated 50 students were interviewed duringthe investigation. Officials said Quinn was the subject of theoriginal complaint while Gill’s name surfaced during the course ofthe investigation.
The coaches were suspended with pay March 19 after BrookhavenSchool District officials met with authorities.
An indictment is not a statement regarding guilt or innocence.It represents a belief by the grand jury that there is probablecause to proceed further with a case.
After they were processed into the Lincoln County Jail Wednesdaymorning, Quinn and Gill were released on $5,000 cash bonds throughthe circuit clerk’s office, sheriff’s department officials said.The coaches are scheduled to be arraigned June 7 before Judge KeithStarrett.