Volunteer Cheerleading Coach Accused of Lewd Acts

COMPTON (CNS) - Police this week sought additional possible victims of a volunteer youth cheerleading coach accused of committing lewd acts on five girls he instructed.

Michael Edmond, 55, is charged with seven counts of forcible lewd acts on a child under 14 and one count of lewd act on a child under 14, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.

Edmond -- who coached cheerleading at Athens Park in Los Angeles -- allegedly engaged in lewd acts with the girls between June 1 and Sept. 1, according to prosecutors, who said the children range in age from 9 to 12 years old.

Edmond was arrested Saturday morning by Los Angeles police and has remained behind bars since then, his bail set at $8.8 million, jail records show.

He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday and is due back in court on Oct. 8 to get a preliminary date.

If convicted as charged, Edmond could be sentenced to life in prison, prosecutors said.

Anyone who may have been a victim of Edmond or has additional information regarding this case was urged to call the LAPD's Sexual Exploited Child Unit, Juvenile Division at 213-486-0580 weekdays between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.

After-hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 877-LAPD-24-7.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.

Photo: Los Angeles Police Department


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