NJ skating coach charged with sex assault after woman reports 1990s abuse

⚠️ A 75-year-old Ventnor skating instructor is charged in a case involving abuse claims from the 1990s.

➡️ Investigators say a former student reported years of abuse, backed by journals, recordings and witnesses.

🔴 Prosecutors are asking anyone with information to contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

HAMILTON (Atlantic) — A 75-year-old roller skating instructor has been accused of sexually abusing a teen girl he was privately coaching over a three-year span in the 1990s.

Ralph Marinelli, of Ventnor, was arrested and charged in Atlantic County central municipal court with sexual assault of a minor between 13 and 16, as well as sexual assault of a minor between 16 and 17, when the defendant had a supervisory role over the minor.

His arrest followed a months-long investigation by State Police.

A woman, now in her late forties, came forward to the U.S. Center for SafeSport. The nonprofit organization shared the report with local law enforcement in Atlantic County.

Read More: New Jersey teacher, coach admits years of sexual abuse of teen

Longtime skating coach arrested in Atlantic County, facing accusations of sex abuse (Google Maps, Getty Stock)

Former student says abuse began during private skating lessons

The victim said that between 1992 and 1995, Marinelli was her personal skating coach at Young’s Skating Center in the Mays Landing area.

She said the inappropriate relationship developed when she was 14 and Marinelli was 40.

He is accused of grooming and sexually abusing the victim over that three-year span.

Police gathered evidence that included photos of Marinelli and the victim together, cards, letters, and gifts he gave to her throughout that time.

Evidence also includes a dated, handwritten journal by the victim, detailing her various memories, including the sexual abuse.

Multiple witnesses also bolstered the timeframe of abuse, admitting to police that they knew of an inappropriate relationship between the victim and her coach.

Read More: Camden County teacher arrested on sexual assault charges

Atlantic Couny conviction

Investigators cite recordings and other evidence in the case

Three recorded calls between Marinelli and the victim involved discussion of the past relationship.

There was also an in-person meeting caught on a recording, where the sexual relationship was brought up and Marinelli said, “It should not have happened.”

He wound up giving the victim $500 cash and old skating mementos.

Marinelli was charged on a warrant and the prosecutor’s office agreed to his release with conditions, based on his lack of criminal record.

Municipal Court Judge Billie Moore agreed to pre-trial monitoring level three.

She declined to order that Marinelli be prevented from continued work at the skating rink — but did say that if he’s fired, he cannot return to the site while charges are pending.

A pre-indictment conference is set for Aug. 12.

As of Monday, there was no attorney yet publicly listed for Marinelli.

Anyone with potential information was asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7666. Tips can also be shared online at the Prosecutor’s Office Website.

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