PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2005

Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150

D.A. Donovan: Basketball Coach Pleads Guilty to Charges of “Spanking” Three Teenage Players at Camp

STATEN ISLAND, NY - Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today announced that a New Springville, Staten Island, man has pled guilty to three counts of forcible touching. As a result of the plea agreement, Drew Sanders, 49, will serve 6 years probation and be required to register as a sex offender under New York State’s Sex Offender Registration Act. (“Megan’s Law”)
Sanders was originally arrested on July 5, 2005 and charged in relation to spanking two teenage basketball players in his care. He was charged with one count each Attempted Assault in the 2nd degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th degree, twenty-three counts each of Forcible Touching, and Sexual Abuse in the 3rd degree, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He was re-arrested yesterday on charges related to a third complainant, a 16 year old male, who alleged that Sanders on three occasions between June 1 to July 15, 2004, did spank the victim on the buttocks over his shorts while laying across the defendants’ lap. As a result, Sanders was charged with five counts of Forcible Touching and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
District Attorney Donovan stated, “The defendant has admitted in open court that he inappropriately touched three young men who were entrusted to his care as a basketball instructor. As a result of this guilty plea, the defendant has waived his right to appeal, will be required to register as a sex offender under New York’s Megan’s Law, the victims will be granted an order of protection, and the defendant will be required to serve probation for 6 years, with the prospect of jail as a deterrent to further behavior of this type.”
Assistant District Attorney Heidi Tannenbaum-Newman, Deputy Bureau Chief, of the District Attorney’s Sex Crimes/Special Victims Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Yolanda L. Rudich, Bureau Chief. The defendant was represented by Paul Lemole, Esq.
Sanders will be formally sentenced on November 1, 2005.

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