Former Eden Township swim coach Glenn Christopher Nellis, who goes by Chris, has pleaded guilty to third-degree rape in front of the New York State Supreme Court.
Nellis was accused of sending sexually explicit photos of himself and messages to a 16-year old girl and arrested in February. USA Swimming added him to their public list of individuals permanently ineligible & suspended in May of this year, as has the Eden Township school district.
Late investigations uncovered “dozens” of explicit text messages and emails with the victim, and that there was in fact a physical sexual encounter with the girl, which added a charge of rape to the existing charge of ‘promoting a sexual performance by a child.’
Nellis had been the head swim coach of the Eden Dolphins Swim Club in Eden, New York. His father is the Supervisor of the Eden Town board. The team was a part of the Town of Eden Recreation Department.
The Eden Dolphins finished the season and then merged with the nearby Nickel City Race Club, which allowed that program to expand into the Eden Township school district facilities.
All parents and particularly coaches must be vigilant of these predators. My heart goes out to the victims.