The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's office says it has arrested a volunteer coach with Lakeshore Playground on multiple counts of sexual behavior with juveniles. Authorities say one of the incidents involving 49-year-old William Carter Mehrhoff dates back to the 1990s.
"Mehrhoff, who goes by 'Coach Carter', was acquainted with one of the victims partially through his association with Lakeshore Playground as a volunteer coach," the sheriff' office said in a statement. "Mehrhoff has been arrested for one count of sexual battery in an incident believed to have occurred in 2014-2015, and one count of sexual battery for a series of incidents believed to have occurred in the 1990s."
The sheriff's office says they arrested Mehrhoff Saturday after getting the account of one alleged victim, who said when he was 10, he and other family members were visiting Mehrhoff at his home in Metairie.
"The victim became tired, and went into a bedroom to lie down<" the sheriff's office said. "while in bedroom, mehrhoff entered bed with him. the victim described pulling down his shorts, then felt rubbing genitalia on p>
The sheriff's office says when word of Mehrhoff's arrest became known in the community, another alleged victim came forward.
"Another victim came forward to report that Mehrhoff had inappropriately behaved and engaged in genital touching with him on multiple occasions between 1994 and 1999. This victim was aged 10-14 at the time. Mehrhoff is facing a count of sexual battery related to this offense."
The sheriff's office says if anyone else has information on crimes Mehrhoff may have committed to call Detective Jeff Jobin of the Juvenile Crimes Section at (504) 364-5300, or contact Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.
