Colorado swim coach found guilty of sexually abusing multiple underage athletes for several years

BOULDER, Colo. (TCD) -- A swim coach who worked for an elite team has been convicted of sexual abuse against several underage athletes that occurred between 1997 and 2001.

The Colorado 20th Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced April 16 that a jury found Jon Beber guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust –– pattern of abuse, and one count of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. He was remanded into custody without bond and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19.

According to prosecutors, from 1997 until 2002, Beber worked as a swim coach for the Boulder Swimming Club, where he reportedly had "inappropriate sexual contact" with minors. The district attorney’s office said Beber quit and left Colorado in 2002 after parents confronted him about allegations of his crimes. However, the sexual abuse was never reported to law enforcement at the time.

According to the district attorney’s office, Beber had also worked for other swim teams in Albany, New York, Florida, and Atlanta.

The district attorney’s office eventually filed charges against Beber in 2022 after three victims came forward about the sexual abuse. Officials arrested him on the charges in Atlanta, KUSA-TV reports. 

District Attorney Michael Dougherty said, "This defendant sexually abused swimmers whom he coached. Despite the passage of time, and because of the courage and strength of the victims, the defendant is being held responsible for the abuse and trauma he inflicted upon them. Our office was honored to fight for justice for these victims. We appreciate the service and hard work of the jurors."

MORE: