QUEENS — A basketball coach is suspected of victimizing several members of his teams and was charged with possession of child pornography after lewd video chat with a 15-year-old player, the Queens District Attorney’s office said.
Investigators are also asking any other victims to come forward.
Robert Walker, 42, of Jamaica, who coached three Amateur Athletic Union teams, was arrested on Nov. 17, after the teen told his parents that Walker allegedly had a video chat with him.
During the chat, on April 22 via the video chat and instant messaging application OoVoo, Walker told the boy to strip naked, according to Queens DA Richard Brown. He also allegedly convinced the teen to pose in front of the camera and expose his privates.
Walker is also accused of having the teen send him naked pictures of himself, officials said.
After getting a search warrant for Walker’s home, investigators found the video of the alleged chat, Brown said.
Walker also allegedly told investigators that during workouts with teens as young as 14, he would have the boys take their clothes off and put plastic bags on them in order to help them lose weight. He would also take pictures and videos of the boys during the workouts, according to court documents.
And he said that he had taken some videos of boys as young as 14 masturbating, according to officials.
“The defendant is accused of taking advantage of his position as a basketball coach and instructing a 15-year-old and others to engage in inappropriate activity,” Brown said in a statement. “The results will no doubt emotionally scar the youngsters for the rest of their lives.”
Walker has been charged with use of a child in a sexual performance, disseminating indecent material to minors, possessing a sexual performance by a child and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Queens DA's office.
If convicted, the coach faces up to 15 years in prison, Brown said.
His lawyer was not immediately available for comment.
The AAU said that Walker is not a registered member of the organization, but the group was working to gather more information.
Authorities urge people who believe they may have also been Walker's victims to call the 105th Precinct Detective Squad at (718) 776-9252.
