Ex-coach pleads innocent to sex charges

STAFF report

WARREN — A former assistant track coach at a Brookfield middle school pleaded innocent to sex charges involving a minor girl and was released on $10,000 bond.

George Swogger, 24, of West Liberty Street, Hubbard, appeared Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court after a Trumbull County grand jury indicted him on felony charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Judge Andrew Logan ordered Swogger to have no contact with the accuser, a girl who was 14 years old in July when police said the crimes occurred at his apartment.

Swogger worked for Brookfield schools last year on a supplemental contract as a middle-school assistant track coach. He served in that capacity only and worked with middle-school boys and girls during track season, school officials said. The contract was not renewed this school year.

Hubbard police said an arrest warrant, issued for Swogger in August by Girard Municipal Court, was based on a complaint the girl filed against Swogger on July 22.

If convicted, Swogger could spend up to 30 months in prison.