A Broward youth baseball coach is facing charges after authorities say he sexually assaulted an 11-year-old boy who played for his Cooper City team.
David Solomon, 47, was charged with two counts of sexual assault of a victim under 12 following his arrest Thursday, according to a Broward Sheriff's Office arrest report.
Solomon was being held at the Broward Jail without bond Friday, records showed. He appeared in court Friday but his hearing was rescheduled to Saturday.
"These are just allegations. Unfortunately, in charges like this he's got two courts he's got to address. The court of law and the court of public opinion," attorney Eric Schwartzreich said. "We are confident in the court of law he's going to be cleared, be found not guilty, and hopefully, in the court of public opinion will clear him as well."
According to the arrest report, the first incident happened during a sleep over at Solomon's house in April. The second incident happened when the boy went to watch a WWE event at Solomon's house in May, the report said.
The boy, who played for Solomon's Cooper City Optimist League team, said the sexual assaults happened on as many as eight occasions, and also occurred in Solomon's car while he was driving the boy home from the baseball fields, the report said.
Solomon had nicknames for the ways he touched the boy, the report said. Solomon told the boy he "could not tell anyone because it would violate the 'Bro Code,'" the report said.
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When the boy told his mother about the alleged incidents in May, she removed him from the team. Earlier this month, while attending baseball camp with his former teammates from the Optimist League, the boy learned some of them had been victimized in a similar manner, the report said.
The parents of several of the children became aware of the allegations and confronted Solomon, and he was arrested, the report said.
Records showed Solomon had three prior arrests for lewd and lascivious molestation of a child, and at least one of the cases was dropped. The outcome of the other two arrests was unknown.
Broward Sheriff's officials said a second victim has come forward and Solomon may face additional charges. Detectives believe there may be more victims and they're asking anyone with information to call the BSO at 954-321-4246.
Cooper City released the following statement via Facebook regarding the allegations against Solomon:
"In regard to recent news reports, the City of Cooper City and Cooper City Optimist remain committed to safety as the first priority of the youth sports program within the City of Cooper City.
The City of Cooper City and Cooper City Optimist have been advised by the Broward Sheriff's Office that a long-time baseball coach in the Optimist's youth athletic program has been arrested. The accused individual passed comprehensive background checks which were conducted by the Optimist Club. He has been removed as a coach from the Optimist's roster of Volunteer coaches.
This incident involving allegations against an individual who served as a volunteer coach should not in any way reflect on the outstanding work of the many parents and volunteers who serve in the youth sports program.
Pending the BSO investigation and prosecution of the matter, any further information requests on the matter should be directed to BSO."
