Ex-coach sentenced in sex assault of player

A former Special Olympics soccer coach pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a player with intellectual disabilities.

A former Berks County Special Olympics soccer coach who had pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a player with intellectual disabilities was sentenced Tuesday.

Michael A. Sheldon, 30, of the 600 block of South 19th Street pleaded guilty before Berks Judge Paul M. Yatron in November to indecent assault and indecent exposure.

As part of Sheldon’s plea agreement, Yatron sentenced him to 364 days to 729 days followed by two years of probation.

Sheldon was given credit for 366 days time served. Since he had been out on bail since last March and his time served exceeds the minimum end of his sentence, he will remain free but under supervision of the probation department.

Sheldon assaulted the 24-year-old man at Sheldon’s apartment July 15, 2018. He was charged March 19, 2019.

Yatron ordered that Sheldon have no contact with the victim or the victim’s family and that he may not attend Special Olympics events. Sheldon also has to register as a sex offender.

Sheldon did not give a statement at his sentencing.

According to investigators:

The victim is diagnosed with autism, bipolar depression, ADHD and is intellectually disabled.

While at his apartment, Sheldon asked the victim if he wanted to fool around and the victim said no.

The victim went to Sheldon’s bedroom around 11 p.m. to go to sleep. As the victim was sleeping, Sheldon climbed into bed with him and touched him inappropriately. The victim again told Sheldon no. Sheldon inappropriately touched the man two more times and performed a sex act.

After the assault, the victim went to sleep.

The next morning, Sheldon drove the victim to a program that assists mentally challenged individuals. The victim told officials there about the assault and police were notified.

Sheldon admitted to investigators that he had kissed the victim but denied having sexual contact with him.

Sheldon was immediately suspended in July 2018 when the organization became aware of the allegations, according to Special Olympics officials.

Sheldon also was employed as a special education assistant in the Reading School District from late August 2018 until his arrest, a district spokeswoman confirmed.

District Attorney John T. Adams said there was no way the school district would have known about the investigation until Sheldon’s arrest.