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Russell Swihart with attorney Mark Miller.
Basketball coach’s CSC case headed to trial.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
HART — A criminal sexual conduct case against a 36-year-old former high school basketball coach is headed to trial in December.
Russell Douglas Swihart is charged with five felony counts of CSC stemming from the alleged sexual assaults of two 13-year-old female players. Swihart’s case is scheduled for a three-day jury trial, Dec. 12-14 in 27th Circuit Court. A final conference is set for Nov. 19 at 9 a.m.
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.
The former coach, who is free after posting $100,000/cash/surety bond, appeared in court with his attorney Mark Miller Monday morning, Oct. 15.
He was arrested June 25 following a months-long investigation by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office that involved interviewing several witnesses.
Swihart was the boys JV basketball coach at Walkerville High School and assisted with the JV girls basketball team, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig 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 78th District Court Judge H. Kevin Drake during a court hearing last August.
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