Robert "Ronnie" Marino, 73, is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy at his home on Nixon Avenue in Bridgeton last week.
[Ads /]
Police say Marino did not know the teen through sports.
"Anybody who played for him could say, you know, it's shocking. He was a good coach to us. I never seen nothing like that," said Eric Comer, who had Marino as a youth football coach in the 80's.
Prosecutors have charged the coach with three counts, including aggravated sexual assault of a helpless or incapacitated victim.
According to the arrest warrant, Marino showed the victim pornography, and on another occasion gave the victim a shot of alcohol which made him sleepy.
The victim told police he later woke up to Marino sexually assaulting him.
According to police documents, the victim recorded himself confronting Marino the following morning and Marino apologized for what he did.
[Ads /]
Marino is listed as the property manager for West Cumberland Little League in Bridgeton.
In a statement, the league told Action News he is no longer associated or involved with the organization.
"It's just shocking," Comer said. "He's always been a nice guy. Good football coach, everything. I can't say nothing bad about him."
We were unable to reach an attorney for Marino on Tuesday. He remains behind bars and a court hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Police say, so far, they have not located any additional victims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Marna Coyne at 856-502-2700.