Former Youth Soccer Coach Found Guilty of Child Rape

Roger Lau being led out of the courtroom in Woburn following his sentencing Monday. Photo courtesy Medford Daily Mercury/Malden Evening News.

Story Updated 5:11PM Monday, March 7, 2011

– Allison Goldsberry

A former Medford soccer coach has been found guilty on child rape charges in connection with raping a former player, according to Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone.

Roger Lau, 27, of Medford , was found guilty Wednesday by a Middlesex Superior Court Jury on two counts of rape of a child. Judge Diane Kottmyer sentenced Lau to three and a half years to four years in State Prison followed by five years probation with conditions that he stay away and have no direct or indirect contact with the victim, her family or any witnesses. He must also register as a sex offender, complete sex offender evaluation and treatment, and have no employment or volunteer work with children under the age of 18.

“This defendant has now been found guilty of seriously abusing his authority and violating the trust of one of his young players and her parents, by taking advantage of the girl and raping her on numerous occasions,” District Attorney Leone said. “We commend the jury for their just verdict today and thank the victim for bravely coming forward to disclose this defendant’s disturbing history of sexual abuse of her.”

Lau’s co-defendant and fellow coach, Thomas Heinz, was found not guilty in the same trial, on the charge of rape of a child by force.

According to authorities, the two defendants coached an under 14 girls soccer league in Medford. Heinz was the head coach and Lau was the assistant coach. At the time of the rapes, which occurred between the spring of 2003 and the summer of 2004, the victim was around thirteen or fourteen years old and was a player on their soccer team.

The victim told authorities that she was involved in having sexual relations with Lau for over a year.

Authorities say Lau and the victim began talking on the phone and he asked the victim to hang out at his house and watch a movie. Lau picked up the victim, brought her to his house, and raped her. Lau continued meeting with the victim and having a sexual relationship with her for over a year.

The victim also said she was assaulted by Heinz but he was not found guilty.

Lau and Heinz were arrested in December of 2009 and they were indicted on child rape charges in February 2010.

After the two were arrested, Medford Youth Soccer 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.”