Delaware

High School Wrestling Coach Accused of Having Sex With Teen

A wrestling coach at a Delaware High School that has won several state championships is accused of having sex with a female student.

Richard Howell II, 50, of Wyoming, Delaware is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, 15 counts of sexual abuse of a child by a person of trust and two counts of fourth-degree rape.

Howell, a wrestling coach at Caesar Rodney High School in Delaware, was involved in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student at the school from March, 2014 to Dec. 2014, police said. Howell and the teen allegedly had sex at least nine different times on school grounds as well as several times at his home in Wyoming, Delaware.

Howell turned himself in to police Wednesday afternoon. He was released after posting $10,000 secured bond. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim or anyone under the age of 18.

Howell has been the head wrestling coach at Caesar Rodney since 1991, according to Delaware Online. Under Howell, the high school has won eight DIAA Division 1 dual meet state championships. Delaware Online also reports Howell won the DIAA Individual championship when he was a sophomore at Newark High School in 1980.

Howell was suspended with pay, according to Caesar Rodney School District Superintendent Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald. A spokesman said the District is cooperating fully with the police investigation.

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