Additional charges made against Montgomery County soccer coach

Gazette:  Police identify second victim of alleged sexual abuse by Takoma Park man

...Roger Misael Fernandez, 38, of the 900 block of East West Highway in Takoma Park, was first arrested Thursday afternoon by Montgomery County police after the first victim, a 17-year-old member of the Real Maryland FC soccer club, reported Sept. 15 that Fernandez touched him inappropriately in March. The teen told police Fernandez, a soccer club coach, touched him at the club's corporate office at 12114 B Heritage Park Circle in Silver Spring, according to Montgomery County Police.

The second victim, also a 17-year-old club player, was identified shortly after Fernandez' arrest. He said Fernandez inappropriately touched him on two occasions: once in February in the club's corporate headquarters and once at the Holiday Inn at 2 Montgomery Village in Gaithersburg in March, said county police spokesman Cpl. Dan Friz. The charging documents for the second sexual assault indicate the touching in March at the hotel occurred after the coach tricked the player into driving with him to the hotel.

"It looks like it was a ruse to get him there; he lured him into the room where he sexually assaulted him," Friz said from his reading of the charging documents. "Force wasn't used, so once Fernandez assaulted him, the victim was able to leave the room."

...Montgomery County Public Schools spokesman Dana Tofig said that while the incident did not take place at a school function or on school property, the arrest raises concerns. Northwood parents were notified of the arrest Thursday, and the school system is working with police to identify other potential victims, Tofig said...

...Tofig was also uncertain if Fernandez was screened by the school system before he began volunteering...

...David Noyes, the general manager of the Real Maryland FC Soccer Club, expressed surprise and dismay at the news when reached for comment today. Club officials have been working with police to help identify any other potential victims, he said...