Former Warwick coach gets 8 1/2 to 30 years. Sobbing victim and family recount devastating impact of relationship and aftermath.
By Janet Kelley And Cindy Stauffer
Updated Feb 19, 2007 15:58
“I thank Mr. Troy R. May,’’ she said, “for ruining my high school memories.’’
Not only had he victimized her, she said, but made her the object of derision and humiliation from other students at school when the crimes became public.
May, 38, of 332 E. Marion St., Lititz, listened quietly as the girl, her parents and sisters described to Judge Joseph C. Madenspacher how the crimes had impacted their lives.
Madenspacher sentenced May to 81-w to 30 years in prison and ordered him to pay $22,225 restitution.
May, who was evaluated and found to be a sexually violent predator, will have to register his whereabouts with the state police for the rest of his life.
“You betrayed (the victim),’’ Madenspacher told May, “you betrayed her family, you betrayed your family, you betrayed your profession as a coach, you betrayed your community, you betrayed your school..’’
Had the victim been an adult, Madenspacher said, May’s actions could have been described as courting, but in this circumstance it was “grooming.’’
May had pleaded guilty in July to two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault and unlawful contact with a minor; three counts each of endangering the welfare of a child and criminal use of a communication facility; four counts each of aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault; and five counts corruption of minors.
“I hurt many people and I apologize deeply,’’ May said, looking at the victim and her family seated at the back of the courtroom.
“It hurts me to know people are hurting so much and I caused that,’’ May said, adding that not only had he hurt the victim and her family, but his own wife and children as well.
“I’m praying for them and hope they heal,’’ May said.
May had been a coach for Warwick girls’ basketball and softball for 11 years, police said, when he began contacting the victim through the Internet in the summer of 2003.
He started having more and more contact with the girl, police said, and that eventually led to sexual encounters at school athletic fields, in his car, in hotel rooms and in his own home while his wife and children were away.
The teenager, surrounded by her sisters as she stood at the front of the courtroom, told Madenspacher that May sent her flowers and good-luck notes, asked her to babysit his children and encouraged her friendship with his wife.
“I was 15 years old,’’ the girl told the judge, “a high school freshman,’’ when the encounters turned sexual.
“I hated myself. I felt like I let my family down, I let my team down...and God had let me down.’’
She told no one, she said, because “I didn’t want it to be real.’’
Finally, the girl said, she told her friends and her family, eventually going to police.
“I didn’t do it out of hate,’’ she said, breaking into sobs, “I did it for all the other innocent girls in the world.’’
But when she finally went to the police and the charges were filed, the girl said, she was further pained by the other students at school, who pointed at her, said things to her in the halls, and e-mailed and harassed her.
Her parents, sisters, friends and Lititz Police Detective John Schofield, she said, “have kept me alive...I won’t let him ruin my dreams.’’
“My counselor recommended anti-depressants,’’ the girl said, adding that she won’t take them or sleeping pills. “I know I am (depressed), but I don’t want another reminder.’’
Next year, the girl said, she hopes to “go to college and start a new life, but the memories will stay with me forever...I’m not going to let Mr. Troy R. May ruin my dreams.’’
The teenager said her faith in God has been restored and strengthened in the process, as has her family’s relationship with one another.
“From this day on, I can take steps forward, instead of back...If I can get through this, I can get through anything else.’’
Defense attorney Doug Cody told the judge that May’s life has also been ruined by the crimes for which “he takes full responsibility.’’
May lost his job, took his family into a bankrupt condition, Cody said, and brought shame to his family.
“He’s been through a living hell because of his own conduct,’’ Cody said. “His goal in life someday is to get out and be the father he should have been....and be the husband and the son.’’
Cody said his client cooperated fully with police and waived earlier court hearings so the girl would not have to testify in court.
May is currently working as a landscaper, Cody said, describing him “as a good father, an outstanding father’’ who has “hurt his wife and his marriage.’’
The victim’s mother told Madenspacher that she learned about the sexual encounters the day in October 2003 after the Warwick School Board fired May from his coaching position.
“She told me that day she could have her life back.’’
The teenager’s parents said that in retrospect they see how May had begun paying attention to their daughter in middle school, complimenting her athletic ability and building trust.
“We all trusted him,’’ the victim’s mother said.
Since the crimes have come to light, the mother said, her daughter is afraid of the dark, afraid of men and afraid of relationships.
“She is a strong kid.’’ her mother said. “She believes in God, This is the only way she can go on with her life.’’
May, who wiped his eyes several times during the proceeding, was handcuffed and led from the courtroom.
