Bad Bad Teacher

(05/16/08 - Initial BBT Report)

Sanford Kaplan, 57, a soccer coach at Northeast High School in Lincoln, Nebraska as well as a a youth soccer coach for the Capitol Soccer Association and an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been arrested in connection with the alleged abuse of teenage boys.

Quoting from the Omaha World-Herald:

Six youths ages 13 to 15 have alleged that over the past seven years they were bound, gagged and blindfolded, then videotaped or photographed trying to escape, in a strange “rope trick” game Kaplan concocted for his sexual gratification.

Investigators say that Kaplan admitted to doing these things to several teenage boys in order to “fulfill a sexual need.”

According to sheriff’s officials, the events were “portrayed as a game,” and the boys were challenged to escape their bindings.

Investigators believe at least three more young men have been victims of similar treatment and are looking for other victims who have not yet come forward.

On Wednesday Kaplan was arrested on suspicion of 14 felony charges, including two of third-degree sexual assault, which alleges inappropriate sexual touching. However he was charged with only 7 felony counts consisting of six counts of child abuse and one count of false imprisonment.

Reportedly Kaplan no longer works as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he has been suspended as a coach of select club teams for the Capital Soccer Association and his contract to coach boys soccer at Lincoln Northeast High School was not being renewed.

References:

Charges stun coach’s circle (05/16/08)

Court Documents Detail Extent of Lincoln Man’s Suspected Abuse (05/15/08)

Soccer coach faces 14 felony charges (05/15/08)

Lincoln soccer coach held in sex case (05/15/08)