Former Youth Soccer Coaches Accused of Rape

Thomas Heinz, right, is pictured with his lawyer, Brad Bailey, during his arraignment in Somerville District Court on Tuesday. Photo courtesy Medford Daily Mercury.

The following is an announcement from Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone:

Updated 5:38PM Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Two former Medford soccer coaches have been arrested on forcible child rape charges, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.

Roger Lau, 26, of Medford, was arrested late Monday night on 4 counts of forcible child rape. He was arraigned Tuesday morning before Somerville District Court Judge Maurice Flynn and ordered held on $8,000 cash bail with conditions that he has no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 and no coaching, referring, employment or volunteering with children under the age of 16.

Thomas Heinz, 26, of Medford , was arrested Tuesday morning on one count of forcible child rape and arraigned before Judge Flynn and ordered released on personal recognizance with conditions that he has no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 and no coaching, referring, employment or volunteering with children under the age of 16.

Lau and Heinz’s next court date is January 25 for a probable cause hearing.

“These are troubling allegations against two youth soccer coaches who we allege took advantage of their positions to sexually assault the victim when she was only 13 years old,” District Attorney Leone said. “We allege that these coaches used their position in order to inappropriately contact, entice and manipulate this vulnerable victim into forging a sexual relationship.”

At the time of the rapes, which occurred from the spring of 2003- the summer of 2004, the defendants coached the under 14 girls soccer league in Medford. Heinz was the head coach and Lau was the assistant coach.

The victim, aged 13-14 at the time, stated to authorities that she was involved in a sexual relationship with Lau for over a year.

The victim further stated that Heinz had also assaulted her on two separate occasions. Heinz was 20-21 at the time.

The investigation remains ongoing. Members of the public who believe that they may have information that could be helpful to the investigation can call Medford Police at 781-391-6778 or the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Child Abuse Unit at 781-897-8400. The Medford Soccer Association has cooperated fully with the investigation.

These charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by Medford Police. The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Katelyn Draper of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Child Abuse Unit. The victim witness advocate is Susie Marshall. The Child Interview Specialist is Katie Nugent.

Editor’s Note:

Medford Youth Soccer has issued the following statement on its website in response to the charges:

“Medford Soccer is troubled by the allegations against two former coaches that became public today. Medford Soccer has cooperated fully with authorities involved in the investigation and will continue to do so.

At this time, due to the ongoing criminal investigation, we feel that no further comment is appropriate.”

Update

Both Lau and Heinzs’ lawyers deny the allegations against their clients.  Bailey said Heinz voluntarily submitted to an interview with police because he “had nothing to hide.”  Lau’s attorney said the complaints would be “unmerited” once the investigation has concluded.