A former assistant softball coach from a Catawba County middle school was found guilty of indecent liberties with a child by a jury during Catawba County Superior Court on Friday, March 22, 2019.
Angela Minter Parker, 50, of Hickory, was sentenced to serve an active prison term of 16 to 29 months by the Honorable Nathaniel J. Poovey, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County, following her conviction. In addition, Parker was ordered to pay restitution of $1,585.43 to the victim.
The defendant will serve her sentence in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections, and she will be required to register as a sex offender for 30 years.
The 12-member jury found Parker not guilty on two counts of statutory sex offense and one other count of indecent liberties with a child.
From February 18, 2012, to July 16, 2012, the defendant used her position of trust and authority as an assistant coach to foster an improper relationship with the 14-year-old victim that ultimately led to inappropriate touching.
These incidents occurred while the child was in the eighth grade in middle school, however, she did not disclose what happened to her until her freshman year of college. Investigation by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office began immediately after her disclosure of the allegations.
The trial started on Monday, March 11 and lasted two weeks. Jury selection lasted four days, followed by evidence presentation by Assistant District Attorney Jamie Adams and Defense Attorney Lisa Dubs.
Following closing remarks by attorneys for each side, the case went to the jury late on Wednesday, March 20. The jury deliberated for parts of three days before reaching its verdict just after 10 a.m. on Friday, March 22.
Russ Boger investigated the case for the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.
CONTACT: Nathan Key
Phone: 828-695-6193
Email: Nathan.D.Key@nccourts.org