Published on: Thursday, October 07, 2010

By Paige L. Hill

Police arrested a Montgomery County soccer club coach last week, charging him with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old male player on his team, police said.

According to police spokesman Cpl. Dan Friz, Roger Misael Fernandez, 38, touched the teen inappropriately in March at the Real Maryland FC soccer club’s corporate office in Silver Spring, and he faces one count of sexual abuse of a minor and one count of fourth-degree sexual offense. And since the arrest of Fernandez, a second victim has come forward to say he was also sexually assaulted by the coach, Friz said.

According to Friz, the second victim — also a 17-year-old male club player —said he was inappropriately touched by the coach on two occasions: once in February in the club’s corporate headquarters and once in March at a Holiday Inn in Gaithersburg. Friz said the charging documents state that the assault at the Holiday Inn occurred after Fernandez offered to give the player a ride to the hotel.

“It looks like it was a ruse to get him there and into the hotel room where he could sexually assault him,” Friz said. “Apparently, no force was used and the victim was able to leave on his own.”

Police charged Fernandez with an additional two counts of sexual abuse of a minor and two more counts of fourth-degree sexual offense, according to Friz. Bond has been set at $100,000 for Fernandez for the additional charges. Fernandez, who was residing in the 900 block of East-West Highway, has also worked as a volunteer coach at Northwood High School in Silver Spring.

Though the Real Maryland FC soccer club would not answer questions regarding the arrest over the phone, they posted a letter for players, parents of the players and members of the community on the organization’s website.

“At this time, Real Maryland FC has cut all ties with Coach Fernandez as the investigation of the authorities into this is conducted,” the letter reads. “This is a serious matter that has affected the club and all that participate with the different programs.”

The soccer club said all coaches are put through extensive background checks before they are allowed to coach. Fernandez’s coaching responsibility has been taken over by another coach and the soccer club is continuing with its regular season.

“Real Maryland FC is shocked and saddened by these events,” the letter reads. “There is a responsibility to continue to strive to protect and serve the community in which we live.”

The soccer club is encouraging anyone who interacted with Fernandez to discuss it with the authorities. Those with information should call Detective Chad Williams in the Family Crimes Division at 240-773-5422.