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Coach faces sex charges

Two men, now in their 20s, both reported that the volunteer wrestling coach molested them when they were teens, deputies say.

By ASHLEE CLARK
Published July 22, 2006

PALM HARBOR - An East Lake High School volunteer wrestling coach was arrested on two charges of lewd or lascivious behavior for allegedly molesting a teenage boy.

Patrick J. Roberts, 56, was arrested at his Palm Harbor home on Thursday. He was released the same day after posting $40,000 bail.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office began investigating the case in February. They interviewed a 20-year-old man who told detectives that Roberts molested him when he was 12 to 17 years old, the Sheriff's Office said.

The charges stem from that case, Sheriff's Office spokesman Mac McMullen said.

A 28-year-old man also said Roberts molested him when he was 12 to 16 years old, and his case will be used to illustrate a "pattern of conduct" with Roberts, McMullen said.

The two men were not involved with the wrestling team, McMullen said. Rather, they seemed to have a personal acquaintance with Roberts.

Phone calls to Roberts' home were not returned.

The Pinellas County school system was notified of the arrest and is cooperating with investigators, said spokeswoman Andrea Zahn.

Zahn did not know how long Roberts had been an assistant coach at the high school.

East Lake officials could not be reached for comment.

Records show that Roberts had been a member of the East Lake Eagles Wrestling Boosters from 1997 to March of this year.

Detectives say there could be other victims. Anyone who is a victim who hasn't reported the incident is advised to call Detective Matt Miller at 727 582-6200.

News researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report. Ashlee Clark can be reached at 445-4158 or aclark@sptimes.com.

[Last modified July 21, 2006, 22:47:20]