Youth swim coach charged with attempted child molestation and possession of child porn

A California youth swim coach faces extremely disturbing charges of attempted child molestation and possession of child porn after he was arrested in a police sting at a hotel where he anticipated meeting a pair of minors for sex.

As reported by Sacramento ABC affiliate KXTV, 21-year-old Eric Johnston, the coach of the Folsom Sea Otters swim team, was arrested and charged with both counts after Folsom police met him at an area hotel. Police had traced Johnston's past movements via email, and Johnston thought he was communicating with minors for the explicit purpose of engaging in future sex.

After his arrest, Johnston also admitted to sending pornographic images of children to others via enauk in prior months, leading to the possession of child pornography charges levied against him.

Johnston had served as coach of the Sea Otters since he was 18 and had emerged as a trusted member of the team's staff. While no swim team members are believed to be among Johnston's victims, Folsom Police met with swimmers and their parents to ensure their safety and investigate the possibility of any other victims.

For her part, the Sea Otters president expressed a sense of shock and sadness at Johnston's arrest.

"This is horrible," Sea Otters president Lisa Davies told KXTV. "We know our coaches well, [and] it's not something you can easily explain to your kids."

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