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But a. MANESS. Local. Maness was accused of assaulting one young gymnast over an eight-year period, from 2012 to 2020. Thats welcome news to the victims and their families who say their goal from the beginning was to protect other young girls from what they endured. Sturges raised concern that Maness would not have to register as a sex offender as part of the plea deal and referred the decision to another judge. We believe it's touching that is consistent with the sport. While Bull City Gymnastics is still in operation, Maness is listed as ineligible by the U.S. Center for Safe-Sport and he's banned from coaching at any gym affiliated with USA Gymnastics. A complaint against Maness is listed as being processed by USA Gymnastics. Chapelboro.comdoes not charge subscription fees. Get access to our best features. Chapel Hill, NC 27514. If you are unsure or suspect that your child was abused (by Stephen Maness or any other adult or juvenile), you should speak with the authorities and or a resource such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline. Get Started. We offer a free completely confidential consultation and handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. All rights reserved. If you or or your child were sexually abused, groomed, or assaulted by Stephen Moness or any other gymnastics teacher, please, contact Estey & Bomberger, LLP. These can affect achievement in school, the future prospects of employment, and their day-to-day interactions with loved ones. Stephen Maness, 41, was booked into jail and released on Dec. 15 following a court appearance in which his attorney asked a judge to enforce a plea offer that prosecutors have withdrawn. "We don't believe it's inappropriate touching, Owen said. Some are more age-specific, while others are designed to adapt as your little one grows. But a proposed plea agreement would reduce the 6 felonies to 7 misdemeanors, including assault on a child, assaulting a female and misdemeanor child abuse. Copyright 2023 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. Two other victims told investigators their alleged abuse spanned from January 2015 to November 2019. 28, 2023), Softball: South Stokes vs. South Caldwell (Apr. Durham A former Triangle gymnastics coach charged with taking indecent liberties with three girls faces two new charges involving a fourth girl. The new administrator was required to complete SafeSport training and undergo a background check and must abide by the terms of Maness' suspension. I know being touched like that you are going to have trauma, and you might have a hard time finding relationships and connecting with people in a physical way, said Abigail Davis, a former gymnastic and close friend of the four accusers. Organizations that wish to receive our vacancy information should contact WCHL by calling (919) 933-4165. Subscribe. Contact Us About The Company Profile For Maness Specialties, Inc. Maness is currently suspended from contact with USA Gymnastics-affiliated athletes and events while his criminal case plays out. A note from a court clerk in Manesss file indicates the judge didnt accept the plea. As a firm, we are ready to represent survivors and their families to hold Maness accountable in civil court along with any public or private institutions that bear responsibility. A former Durham gymnastics coach indicted for sex crimes against three young gymnasts has been offered a plea agreement -- that comes with a much lighter sentence. Maness was initially charged in February 2021 with three counts each of taking indecent liberties and sexual battery after three former gymnasts accused the coach of inappropriate touching over several years. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. The News & Observer contacted Bull City Gymnastics, but no one was immediately available to comment. Court documents state that one victim said the alleged abuse started in August 2012 and lasted until March 2020, while the other two told investigators the alleged abuse went on from January 2015 to November 2019. Willets said that she cant provide additional information. Assistant District Attorney Brooks Stone argued that the plea was never formally accepted and potential additional victims have come forward since the last hearing. Additionally, being forced to pay out a claim is often the only way to compel companies and institutions to change policies and better protect children. It also would have prevented him from taking a job supervising children under the age of 18. Like us on Facebook and Instagram What we do at Bull City Gymnastics Building Confident Gymnasts at BCG! Sturges raised concern that Maness would not have to register as a sex offender as part of the plea deal and referred the decision to another judge. Court documents accessed after Maness arrest detail three victims experiences, including one that claims abuse began in August 2012 and lasted until March 2020. Stephen Maness was booked into jail and released on Dec. 15 following a court appearance in which his attorney asked a judge to enforce a plea offer that prosecutors have withdrawn. The views expressed here are the author's own. Sunny skies, cooler temps on tap this week, GOP lawmakers want to pay for students' private education. 2023 Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. three counts each of taking indecent liberties and sexual battery, presented a plea offer that reduced the felony charges, Judge refuses plea agreement for Durham gymnastics coach facing child sex charges, State withdraws plea deal for Durham gymnastics coach charged with sex crimes, Panthers oust record-setting Bruins 4-3 in OT in Game 7, First Republic Bank seized, sold to JPMorgan Chase, Fatal crash on Lake Woodard Drive Sunday evening, Deadly crash in Clinton splits car in half, kills at least 2, Man in Ohio arrested, charged with killing North Carolina woman, Texas shooting suspect still on the run; $80,000 reward offered, 81-year-old overcomes challenges to graduate, Deadly crash in Clinton kills 2, injures 1. The cities are Chapel Hill NC, Durham NC, Jackson MS, Pennington Gap VA, San Diego CA, and Tupelo MS. MANESS SPECIALTIES, INC. The plea includes a 120-day suspended sentence, meaning: No jail time, 5 years of supervised probation, A ban from gymnastics facilities and supervising children under 18, A no contact order with the victims or their families. Durham Police originally charged Stephen Maness, who previously operated Bull City Gymnastics, with three counts of taking indecent liberties and three counts of sexual battery. Supervision failures persist. In March 2021, Manesss USA Gymnastics membership was revoked. Here are all the ways you can get more involved: Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. North Carolina gymnastics coach Stephen Maness is facing three charges of assault on a child under 12 and three charges of assault on a female. Court documents dont indicate where the interactions occurred. All rights reserved. All three girls appeared in court this week, fully expecting the case to be over, until the judge decided the plea agreement was not tough enough. Panthers reach consensus on No. Previous to Stephen's current city of Chapel Hill, NC, Stephen Maness lived in Walkertown NC and Durham NC. We know that Stephen's political affiliation is currently a registered Republican . After nearly two years, the accusers said are hopeful the case will be settled soon. Judge Sturges could not accept! says a note in the file. Owen argued that her client already admitted guilt to the lesser charges, which could taint a potential jury. 6 Coastal baseball escapes the Ragin Cajuns, Judy Southard, a trailblazer in womens sports, to, Kevin Durant signs lifetime Nike deal, joining Jordan,, Byron Young, Carvers Bay HS Grad, projected 2023, Clemson Prowl & Growl event comes to Florence on, High-waisted jeans that are as comfortable as they. He has been accused of assaulting three young girls who were. Melissa Owen, the defense attorney representing Maness, said any physical contact at Bull City Gymnastics was not sexually motivated. "We can't allow the state to walk away from a deal that my client has held up every single aspect that he agreed to hold up and then they are trying to change the game after-the-fact, Owen said. Stephen Maness of Chapel Hill faces charges in Durham County related to his interaction with three girls under the age of 16. Our child sexual assault attorneys understand that the first step in recovery is helping you feel safe again and we do this by providing access to rehabilitative resources and supporting our clients throughout the legal process. All three victims were. Owen argued that her client already admitted guilt to the lesser charges, which could taint a potential jury. Steven Maness in North Carolina. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Maness, 39, of Chapel Hill, was arrested last Tuesday and released after posting a $10,000 bond. A grand jury indicted Stephen Maness on Monday. While we hope that are no other victims, it is likely that there are other victims. There was no indication in the documents as to whether any of the alleged incidents occurred at the gym. Maness ran not only Bull City Gymnastics, but also Chapel Hill Gymnastics. Court documents allege the abuse occurred over several years. Which baby walker has the best safety features? The Better Business Bureaus profile of the Chapel Hill Gymnastics company off Eubanks Road lists a Stephen Maness as the principal contact for the business. 15, 2023), Softball: Wakefield vs. Panther Creek (Apr. He is currently not allowed to be in the presence of minors at any USA Gymnastics member club or USA Gymnastics-sanctioned event without another adult present. Sign up for our newsletter here. He is also no longer the owner of Bull City Gymnastics nor affiliated with the business as of February 2021. Stephen Maness, 40, of Chapel Hill, was charged in 2021 with three counts each of sexual battery and taking indecent liberties with a child, all felonies, related to his interactions with three. Check out The Orange Report, a free weekly digest of some of the top stories for and about Orange County published in The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun. Stephen Maness, Bull City Gymnastics Durham gymnastics coach offered plea agreement. I know being touched like that you are going to have trauma, and you might have a hard time finding relationships and connecting with people in a physical way, said Abigail Davis, a former gymnastic and close friend of the four accusers. The National Gymnastics Foundation also established the Athlete Assistance Fund to provide financial resources to gymnasts for counseling services if they suffered sexual abuse within the sport. STEPHEN. The center, which also ordered Maness not to have any unsupervised contact with minors, is investigating the charges against him. 1 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, Highlights: Harnett Central scores early and often in rout of Terry Sanford, Highlights: Willow Spring defeats Cleveland, 3-2. Login. A man who spent 15 years coaching elite gymnastics turned himself in to the Durham County Magistrates Office on a fourth charge of taking indecent liberties with a minor at Bull City Gymnastics. Mannes previously owned Bull City Gymnastics on Neal Road in Durham, N.C. and ran Chapel Hill Gymnastics in Chapel Hill. Register. Find Stephen Maness's phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading people search directory for contact information and public records. Subscribe. It has been really difficult waiting for a resolution especially for the young victims who are trusting in us as parents and the court system to ensure their offender makes reparations for his crimes and that every protection possible is put in place to protect the public from his offending again, Hambright said. A note on the court file indicates the judge also wanted him to get sex offender treatment and counseling, but its not clear whether others agreed to that provision. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Coach Stephen Maness has been accused of sexually assaulting one youth gymnast repeatedly over an eight-year period, from 2012- 2020, and two others between 2015 and 2019. We seek the help of local organizations in referring qualified applicants to our station. On Dec. 15, Maness attorneys appeared in Durham County Superior Court and asked North Carolina Superior Court Judge John Dunlow to enforce the plea offered in March. Durham Police originally charged Stephen Maness, who previously operated Bull City Gymnastics, with three counts of taking indecent liberties and three counts of sexual battery. I try to look at all of the delays in a positive light because it has actually given other victims and individuals with relevant information the time they needed to be ready to speak up, and has, ultimately, strengthened our case considerably.. WRAL reported in February 2021 that Maness was a coach and owned Bull City Gymnastics on Neal Road. Some of the offenses date back to 2012 and occurred until March 2020. The plea includes a 120-day suspended sentence, meaning: No jail time, 5 years of supervised probation, A ban from gymnastics facilities and supervising children under 18, A no contact order with the victims or their families. He has been accused of assaulting three young girls who were enrolled there. Kate trains 30+ hours per week under her Head Coaches Stephen Maness and Amanda Maness. Survivors of child sexual abuse often face significant challenges, including health care and mental health costs, as well as significant emotional and psychological damage. Assistant District Attorney Brooks Stone argued that the plea was never formally accepted and potential additional victims have come forward since the last hearing. Where can I find the best prices on grocery staples this week? Since then, prosecutors have withdrawn the plea deal entirely. Login. How we got here, what's new and why they face resistance, NC Supreme Court rulings impact voting rights, Wake school board reviewing public feedback on what to look for in a new superintendent, Islanders extend series with Game 5 win over Canes, Young? Check Out 5 New Homes For Sale In And Around The Durham Area. Calling Bull City readers! My understanding is that it wasnt outright rejected, she said, but that the plea wasnt entered. He took the case under advisement and said he would issue a decision outside of court. Mannes previously owned Bull City Gymnastics on Neal Road in Durham, N.C. and ran Chapel Hill Gymnastics in Chapel Hill. A former Durham gymnastics coach indicted for sex crimes against three young gymnasts has been offered a plea agreement -- that comes with a much lighter sentence. Stephen Maness, Bull City Gymnastics Durham gymnastics coach arrested on indecent liberties charges. 201 South Estes Drive, Suite C6a All three victims were under the age of 16 at the time of the offenses, court documents show. The judge rejected the proposal . Maness faces three counts of felony indecent liberties with a child and three counts sexual battery. Stephen Maness, 41, was booked into jail and released on Dec. 15 following a court appearance in which his attorney asked a judge to enforce a plea offer that prosecutors have withdrawn.