'Coach Of Year' Faces Child Rape Charges
Former Patriots Player Arrested
POSTED: 6:40 am EST December 28,
2008
UPDATED: 7:55 am EST December 29,
2008
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WALPOLE, Mass. -- A former New England Patriots player and high school football “Coach Of The Year” surrendered to police in Arizona on Saturday to face charges of child rape.Daniel Villa, 44, was charged by Walpole police after a female student made the charge. Villa faces three counts of rape of a child over 14 and three counts of enticing a minor.
VideoVilla, who played in the NFL for 12 seasons, including six with the Patriots, led one of the most successful high school football programs in the state. Walpole capped an undefeated season with a championship earlier this month.School Superintendent Lincoln Lynch said he was first notified of a “credible parent complaint” against Villa on Monday night. Lynch contacted Walpole police and a criminal investigation was launched.“Early Tuesday morning, the superintendent met him at the door and put him on administrative leave,” said police Chief Richard Stillman.The student making the charge is a female Walpole High student-athlete. The Boston Globe reported that Villa and the girl exchanged text messages in the past several months that contained "inappropriate stuff."Villa chose to resign his position later Tuesday, citing family concerns.A warrant for his arrest was issued on Friday, shocking many of those who had played for him.“He doesn’t seem like he would ever have done that. I played for him freshman and sophomore year. It never occurred to me he would have done so,” said student Chris Lucia.
Villa turned himself into police in his native Tucson on Saturday.“We expect that Mr. Villa will waive extradition in an Arizona court on Monday and will return to Massachusetts voluntarily to face the charges against him. Mr. Villa intends to plead not guilty at his arraignment in Massachusetts," attorney Heather Baer said.Walpole High School principal Alan Bernstein sent an e-mail to parents saying that counselors will be available at the school Sunday and that "we will do everything that we can to support our students, protect any and all alleged victims."Two weeks ago, Villa was named “Coach Of The Year” by the Patriots All-Access television program which is broadcast on WCVB-TV.
VideoVilla, who played in the NFL for 12 seasons, including six with the Patriots, led one of the most successful high school football programs in the state. Walpole capped an undefeated season with a championship earlier this month.School Superintendent Lincoln Lynch said he was first notified of a “credible parent complaint” against Villa on Monday night. Lynch contacted Walpole police and a criminal investigation was launched.“Early Tuesday morning, the superintendent met him at the door and put him on administrative leave,” said police Chief Richard Stillman.The student making the charge is a female Walpole High student-athlete. The Boston Globe reported that Villa and the girl exchanged text messages in the past several months that contained "inappropriate stuff."Villa chose to resign his position later Tuesday, citing family concerns.A warrant for his arrest was issued on Friday, shocking many of those who had played for him.“He doesn’t seem like he would ever have done that. I played for him freshman and sophomore year. It never occurred to me he would have done so,” said student Chris Lucia.
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- December 27, 2008: High School Coach Charged With Child Rape
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