District Attorney’s Office releases more information on charges filed in Ooltewah basketball scandal

UPDATE: District Attorney Neal Pinkston confirms three other Ooltewah freshman players were also sexually assaulted with pool cue.

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Ooltewah, TN (WDEF) –  Thursday afternoon, District Attorney General Neal Pinkston filed a criminal complaint against three people associated with Ooltewah High School for Failure to Report Child Sexual Abuse of four victims who are players on the OHS boys’ basketball team.

        Juvenile Court Judge Robert Philyaw issued criminal summonses in lieu of arrest for OHS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Allard J. Nayadley, OHS boys’ basketball coach Andre Montgomery, and assistant coach Karl Williams. Under Tennessee’s mandatory reporting law, all three are required to report any suspected child sexual abuse to the state Department of Children’s Services, the sheriff of the county in which the children reside, the police chief of the municipality in which the children reside, or the juvenile court judge with jurisdiction over the child.

        An investigator from the DA’s Office and a HCSO detective are working to determine the scope of criminal activity that took place this school year related to assaults committed by older members of the Ooltewah boys’ basketball team against freshmen players. Charges against three players have already been filed in Sevier County and additional charges are expected to be filed in Hamilton County.

        Additionally, we are investigating allegations of an ingrained culture of violence among the football and basketball teams at OHS reaching back several years. As we interview potential victims who are former OHS players, if the evidence is sufficient to meet the state’s legal burden of proof, charges will be filed for those incidents as well.

        If anyone has knowledge of any crimes related to this investigation, they should call the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office at 423-209-7400.