June 19, 2013

Prominent swim coach Rick Curl pleads guilty to child sex abuse

BY: SCOTT MCCABE FEBRUARY 21, 2013 | 2:39 PM
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Rick Curl, whose Northern Virginia swim club has produced dozens of Olympians, has pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a child he coached more than 25 years ago.

Curl, 63, faces up to 15 years in prison and will have to register as a sex offender, according to the Montgomery County State's Attorney office. Curl's sentencing is scheduled May 23.

The guilty plea Thursday comes several months after former pupil Kelley Davies Currin, now in her 40s, came forward publicly with allegations that Curl sexually abused her beginning when she was 13 and he was 33.

Curl, of Vienna, Va., is the founder of Curl-Burke Swim Club, one of the most successful swimming clubs in the nation and the producer of dozens of Olympians, including 15-year-old 2012 gold-medal-winner Katie Ledecky.

He was banned from USA Swimming after the allegations surfaced last year.

smccabe@washingtonexaminer.com

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