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Russell Swihart, at right, with his attorney, Mark Miller.
Basketball coach’s CSC case bound over to circuit court.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
HART — Judge H. Kevin Drake of 78th District bound over a criminal sexual conduct case against a 35-year-old former high school basketball coach Tuesday, Sept. 4, to a higher court, 27th Circuit Court.
Russell Douglas Swihart is charged with five felony counts of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) stemming from the alleged sexual assaults of two 13-year-old female players.
Swihart, of 5755 N. 192nd Ave., Walkerville, is charged with first-degree CSC, second-degree CSC, two counts of accosting children for immoral purposes and child sexually-abusive activity.
He was arrested June 25 following an “ongoing investigation” that began March 27, Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast said. The sheriff’s office interviewed several witnesses over the last few months.
Russell Swihart, at right, with his attorney Mark Miller. Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon is pictured at left.
Swihart, who is free after posting $100,000/cash/surety bond, appeared in court Tuesday with his attorney Mark Miller. He waived his preliminary exam in district court.
Swihart was the boys JV basketball coach at Walkerville High School and assisted with the JV girls basketball team, Mast said.
“The subject of this investigation does not currently work with Walkerville students. As an additional precaution during this time, school officials have directed this person to not be on school property until further notice,” said an emailed statement from the school after Swihart’s arrest.
The alleged incidents occurred in Crystal Township, said Judge Drake during a court hearing last month.
A preliminary conference in 27th Circuit Court is set for Monday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m.
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