MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Mount Vernon baseball coach was arrested and charged Tuesday for child sex crimes, prosecutors announced Wednesday,
Robert Pope, 30, allegedly coerced a 16-year-old to engage in sexual activity on multiple occasions between September and April of 2020, according to Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss’ office.
Pope had allegedly persuaded the child to meet over cell phone in Westchester County before he was arrested in June through an investigation from the county’s district attorney.
Pope faces three counts of Criminal Sexual Act in Westchester County as well as another ane federal count of coercion and enticement, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life behind bars.
Strauss urged anyone with relevant information to the case to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
“The alleged conduct in this case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children from those who prey on them,” said Strauss in a statement. “We have zero tolerance for the exploitation of children and we will prosecute and punish those who engage in this conduct.”
Pope was a youth baseball coach for several teams in Mount Vernon and also volunteered as a coach for the Mount Vernon High School varsity baseball team, The Journal News reported.