Crime & Safety

Former Swim Club Coach Rick Curl Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Abuse

Curl was charged last year after a former swim club student reported having an inappropriate sexual relationship with Curl. The club's name was changed following the charges.

Ex-swim coach and founder of the Curl-Burke Swim Club Rick Curl pled guilty to child sexual abuse Tuesday during a hearing in Montgomery County Circuit Court, according to the Washington Post.

Curl was charged last year in October after a former swim student, Kelley Currin, said Curl abused her in the 1980s when she was 13 years old. Currin told authorities the abuse lasted until she was 18.

Nation’s Capital Swim Clubs are located in Burke, Falls Church, Tysons Corner, Manassas, Manassas Park and Warrenton. There are also practice facilities in the Greater Alexandria area.

Last summer, the club announced Curl's decision to take a leave of absence from his position. "In response to the article that appeared in the Washington Post in late July, Rick Curl has decided to take a leave of absence effective immediately," a statement on the club's Web site posted in July stated.

The Curl-Burke Swim Club was renamed the Nation’s Capital Swim Club following the allegations against Curl. He was banned for life by USA Swimming and the club is now under the ownership of Thomas Ugast, according to a press release.

A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 21. The Post article states the hearing will be "an opportunity for both the state’s attorneys and Curl’s defense lawyers to present their recommendations, along with an opportunity for victim impact statements." The maximum sentence for child sexual abuse under Maryland law is 15 years.


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